
r LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 


□ □0DD3a‘=^4‘i3 



GopightN? 


COPYRIGHT DEPOSrn 


i 

i 





'5A'*7 i 

i • 



> 'Vj*> 


: ■.•,fl> 4^-L '?ij 

^SnR. ' / 

' '■'“ * • . -:/»v 


•1 *'' *■■ '■ ’*' ' ' '‘ *' ' 


k ^ ■??■« -V 


y-„ !»:■ rf);t,'.;i: 

, v .' 4 ' ., ’ , 


♦ f 



M^jfe ' r '’^' '' '• ' '■ ■ ' " -■ '••^' ,■'>'' ■ <’ 'f' . ^ A 



V <> •:,. ' 

• •'1/. 

. i 


V 


% 

* .*‘f ’ * 

«> i 

* ♦ 

-4 ' '• 

• . . # 




[ s / '>* • 


&■ • ^AV'^rf *. Si .' 






' \ . r.' * i 




SF^*' 

,^y i'C. ,'• ,> 

"R. -'Wx . -.• i;..\:»';!'--'' 





t^l 


.;"^. ■ •s 

V • K 






'. v . ■;• ;vk-/wv^ 


ij*! i_ 


'' : . '*• . 

;. w. i ^ ..r 

■ ; ' ■ M 'k'4.-^;Y.;.:.Jj 


I I 


' 

> « 


i V . ■ :’k'^ . t ■'■ • ,1 


• » • ' r 


I 

, I 


*■ •■ 


. . ^ r -• 


<v,»-' 



■* u 

i f 

‘M’ 

iV' •' 

•A. 

vr; 

' •» 

L*i %i 

• f. ’ 

W- 

'I* 

■u,.' '• 
». J :• 


i - J*. V 


' ^ I 


• > % *• 


". »;;v;3 


■ >'■ 


t 

• •'■ 




« 1 


''4iL*rt^' * ' * W| 1 « . > > ‘a i> .* *' ■ 


l’* • .« ! 




¥ r. 44 ' h 'k-' irr ' 

. , •:’ 5 ... ; 



* '•. 





'4w T^ ' • - « 

- 'ft ; i '*/<-, V-. , ,v-.sv> 


iK. 




't'V. 


’ V** 

'‘A r ^ '• '.»ii • 

vl .-V , /■' 


y\ 


Pi. /.KVi 

i>!( ::\S% 


A 'ViJ- 













• • 


s 



a 4 ^ • 


4 ' 


f .*. / 


I 


* 




• n 



k ^ ^ 




f% 

I 










a.' 

•> *: .>? * 


A. ' <1 




I 

y 



•• - • 

• . ^ 


0 • I 


, • , •A'wA -•••* 




V> r 



’ ^ 






> 'i.' 


I I 

,' • 




■\y 


♦ • 


% 


t . 


Vv 


•• I 


V 

( 


k . » 



t 

V 


' f 


1 ^'.V 

v>-:' 






« 

»-•• . 

f 

I 




,44 • JV< 

. 1 . -.f* a*A 


t-\ 


9 

I 1 


.» ' 


* . * ' 
« 




r . . 



“A mission, father ? A mission in the name of the King ? I 
do not understand.” 


ALICE BRENTON 










A Tale of Old Newport 
in Revolutionary Days 


Br 

MARIE JOSEPHINE GALE 



THE C. M. CLARK PUBLISHING COMPANY 
Boston, Massachusetts 
1909 




'4 



Copyright, 1909 

BY 

The C. M. Clark Publishing Co. 
Boston, MAssACHUSET^rs 

u. s. A. 

All Rights Reserved 


« 



PRESS OP MURRAY AND EMERY COMPANY 
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 


LIBRARY of CONGRESS 
Two Co Dies Received 

APR 28 1809 



ILLUSTRATIONS 


“A mission, father ? A mission in the name of the 

King? I do not understand** .... Frontispiece 

Page 

A lieutenant grew particularly hilarious .... 40 

“Will you allow me to insert the point of this knife 

between the ivory and the rim of the locket?** 96 

The half hour which they allowed themselves seemed 

but a moment of time 136 

“ Leave me, you can at least be kind enough to do 

that. I would rather be alone.** 208 

“ I do not mean to die in this battle if I can help it** 285 

“ Father, dear father! Am I dreaming? Do I see 

my own dear father again ?** 355 

The sun was red in the west as Harry and Alice 

rode into the town 410 



Alice Brenton 


CHAPTER I 

The summer of 1775 was an exciting one in 
the annals of New England and to no section 
more so than to the southern shore of Rhode 
Island and the islands of Narragansett Bay. 
The shot that was heard around the world had 
many an echo over those beautiful waters, which 
even at that early date had a world-wide reputa- 
tion for scenery and climate. 

Newport, then as now, sat like a queen in her 
beauty, enthroned on her dais of green above 
the clearest of blue water, welcoming the white- 
winged argosies from every land on which the 
sun looked down. The devastation of war had 
not dimmed her glory nor impoverished her 
people. Stately trees, soon to fall beneath the 
axe for firewood, towered above the white houses, 
and her wharves and warehouses teemed with 
the riches of the tropics. 


I 


ALICE BRENTON 


Wealthy merchants here made their homes for 
the summer season, flitting away to the southern 
states or to the West Indies when cold weather 
set in. Those who remained the year round 
dwelt in handsome houses set back from the street 
with great iron gates in front. In the rear large 
gardens stretched back to the negro quarters; 
for Rhode Island in those days adhered to the 
patriarchal system of slavery, as did all the other 
Colonies. 

On the outskirts of the town many imposing 
mansions rose, surrounded by their barns and 
houses for the slaves, while modest farmhouses 
dotted the length and breadth of the whole island 
of Rhode Island, with sleek cattle and great 
flocks of sheep browsing around them. 

Newport had various interests at stake in the 
exciting days following the battles of Concord, 
Lexington and Bunker Hill. Sensitive to the 
rights of the Colonies, the people had resisted 
the odious Stamp Act some years before and 
many a one exultingly told of the summary 
way in which certain boats were dragged through 
the streets and burnt at the head of the town. 


2 


ALICE BRENTON 


leaving a track of fire from the scraping of their 
iron keels upon the stones. 

Newport had many partisans. Patriotism ran 
high, so did Toryism. Sometimes both isms 
broke out in the same family, which often caused 
serious trouble. When the king’s ship Rose, 
commanded by Captain Wallace, sailed into 
the harbor, it was therefore greeted by the various 
inhabitants as best suited their own sentiments. 
Many an encounter took place between sailors and 
townspeople, and the captain’s mode of provision- 
ing his ship by foraging was bitterly opposed. 

Towards the close of July 1775, ^ bright 

but humid day, such as is often experienced 
at the present time in Newport, when the sun 
has so far overmastered the fog as to make him- 
self both visible and felt, and the fog, though 
invisible, retaliates by steaming both land and 
atmosphere, two strangely assorted persons stood 
on the shore at the southern end of the island 
overlooking the Atlantic. One was a young 
girl of perhaps seventeen, the other an old negro 
man. Their attention was riveted on a tall ship 
whose tactics puzzled them greatly. 


3 


ALICE BRENTON 


‘‘Really, CufFy, I cannot understand why 
that ship does not enter the harbor and have 
done with it. If she approaches much nearer 
the land she will run upon the reef and then — ’’ 

Here the girl stopped short and a shadow 
swept over her expressive face. She shaded 
her eyes with her hand, for she wore nothing 
on her head, and looked long and earnestly 
at the strange manoeuvres of the ship. The negro 
squinted his small black eyes and followed the 
direction of her gaze with as much interest as 
his young mistress. 

“Tell you what, Miss Alice, that yere ship 
is going to lower a boat.” 

“To lower a boat ^ Oh, Cuffy, I hope not! No 
ship ever lowers a boat outside the harbor unless 
she does so to send men on shore to pillage. 
What shall we do ?” 

“Don’t be afeard. Miss Alice, ’tain’t the same 
with us as ’tis with de people on de small islands 
and ober dere in Narragansett. Dey is all rebels. 
Your pa is a Tory man, and de king’s men 
pay him for all de sheep and cattle dey take,” 
said Cuffy, who rolled his eyes mysteriously 

4 


ALICE BRENTON 


as he gave this bit of confidential information. 

“All they take.? Have they ever taken cattle 
from us, Cuffy 

“ Bress yer heart, yes, many a time, in the night, 
but here I is telling when Massa Ben told me 
nebber to say a word to man, woman, or child.” 

“Never mind, Cuffy, I am not a man and no 
one calls me a woman yet, and I am sure I am 
no child, so you have not betrayed confidence, 
but you have certainly surprised me. Strange 
I have never heard a sound of such proceedings 
going on in the night.” 

“Nobody made a bit of noise to wake folks 
up, for Massa Ben and ole Massa is berry careful 
’bout habing it knowed up in town.” 

“See, she is lowering a boat,” exclaimed Alice 
excitedly, “I must run to the house. Never 
fear, Cuffy, I will not tell that you told me. If 
they come openly like this all Newport will know 
it before long, and then I dread to think of the 
consequences. I wish we were rebels. I would 
a great deal rather be on the side of the towns- 
people than on friendly terms with those who 
oppress them.” 


5 


ALICE BRENTON 


“Better stand by yer pa, Miss Alice,” said 
Cuffy, as she darted away towards the house. 

Not until she reached the seclusion of her own 
room did Alice Brenton draw breath. Then 
she sat down by the window overlooking the sea, 
and drawing the curtain so as to conceal most of 
her person, took an earnest survey of the ship 
and the boat which was now making rapid prog- 
ress towards the shore. That it was a man-of- 
war she could easily determine, and that fact 
always carried trepidation to the hearts of the 
coast people of Rhode Island. Alice was no 
exception to the general rule in spite of the fact 
that all the Brentons were known to the British 
as loyalists. She had heard too much from 
friends in the town of the unscrupulousness 
and violence of the foraging parties sent on shore 
to feel perfectly secure while one was in the 
neighborhood. She could see CuflFy on the shore 
and the old man seemed perfectly at ease as if 
the landing of a boat’s crew from one of his 
Majesty’s ships was no uncommon occurrence. 
He even proffered his assistance as the men 
drew the boat up on the sands. 

6 


ALICE BRENTON 


Two officers made their way towards the house. 
Alice drew back from the window, but very 
soon heard the great front door open and the 
voice of her father welcoming the newcomers. 
That they were on friendly terms was apparent 
and a feeling of security came over her, but at 
the same time the wish she had expressed down 
on the shore escaped her lips. 

‘T wish we were rebels,” she repeated to her- 
self. “Those men who fought at Concord and 
Bunker Hill were heroes fighting for liberty, 
while the British are oppressors and robbers. 
Why does not my father take part with the Colon- 
ists r I would if I were a man.” 

Meanwhile Jahleel Brenton, second of his 
name and third in succession from William 
Brenton of Hammersmith, England, who was one 
of the original settlers of the town, was entertain- 
ing his guests as only a Colonial gentleman of 
that period knew how to treat his equals. 
An impromptu lunch of the best his vast larder 
afforded, with the choicest wines and the best 
French brandies was soon served by well-trained 
negro servants and the clicking of glasses and 

7 


ALICE BRENTON 


peals of laughter were heard all over the house. 
Jokes at the expense of the patriots were passed 
from one to the other, mixed with imprecations 
on the heads of the intrepid leaders, and on none 
more than on the audacious and gallant Ezek 
Hopkins, whose minute-men so often cut off 
the supplies needed for the British ships. The 
establishment of redoubts manned by patriots 
was also execrated, and this gave the superior 
officer. Lieutenant Bell, an opening towards 
declaring the party’s object in coming on shore. 

It was not for forage, as Alice had suspected, 
but for a still graver purpose, namely, to open 
a correspondence with Captain Wallace of the 
Rose without awakening the suspicions of the 
Newport people. 

“We might easily sail into the harbor and 
interview Wallace openly, but the eyes of the 
whole town would be upon us and the main point 
is to keep our communications secret until we are 
all ready to act together and so surprise certain 
rebels,” said Lieutenant Bell as he accepted 
a pinch of snuff from the gold-mounted box 
held out by Mr. Bren ton. 

8 


ALICE BRENTON 


“Ah, I understand perfectly, ’’ answered that 
gentleman, “but the trouble lies here; my servants, 
even to Joko, the last importation from Guinea, 
are all well known in Newport and one of them 
carrying a message to the captain of the Rose 
would awaken grave suspicions.’’ 

“Undoubtedly,” answered the officer, “and 
a negro would be likely to blunder and betray 
us. Is there no one in this neighborhood who 
is fleet and fearless and also gifted with dis- 
cretion ? One who would, on reaching town, 
use stratagem and prowess in delivering the mes- 
sage or entrusting it to faithful hands ?” 

Mr. Benton looked thoughtful for a few minutes; 
at last he said, 

“I know one who is fleet and fearless, yes, 
and discreet too, but the person is a girl, my 
daughter, almost a child. Still she has, on more 
than one occasion, proved herself brave and 
true. Should you be willing to trust her I will 
guarantee that your message will be safely de- 
livered.” 

“A girl! It is asking too much! British 
officers do not employ women upon perilous 


9 


ALICE BRENTON 


missions. Can you not think of some one else 
said the officer. 

“No, there is no one on the Neck who can 
ride better than Alice, nor keep a secret better 
either; besides she rides to town so often to visit 
her young friends no one will suspect her of 
carrying a message.” 

“Our necessity is so great, perhaps we can 
do no better than accept your offer, Mr. Brenton, 
provided the young lady herself is perfectly 
willing to undertake the journey and the re- 
sponsibility. It is humiliating to an officer and 
a gentleman to send a young girl upon such an 
errand.” 

“Leave the sending of her to me. You have 
asked me as a loyal subject of King George to 
aid you in communicating with his Majesty’s 
officer, Captain Wallace. I guarantee the deliv- 
ery of such message and employ the bearer. 
I do not think the risk is at all great. Alice has 
a great many young lady friends whom she 
constantly visits and her presence on the road 
will be scarcely noticed, besides she need not 
seek out Captain Wallace to deliver the letter 


10 


ALICE BRENTON 


in person. My son-in-law, Dr. Halliburton, is 
an intense loyalist — she can ride to his house in 
town for a visit and intrust your message to his 
care. He will see that it is safely delivered. 
You see the danger is very remote unless some 
over-zealous rebel should challenge her on the 
road, and that is not at all probable. Were 
I to send one of the negroes with the letter to Dr. 
Halliburton he would linger on the way for the 
inevitable gossip with some of his own kind, 
and there is no knowing how indiscreet he might 
be, so you see my plan is a good one, and I will 
immediately notify my daughter to be in readi- 
ness for her visit as soon as possible in order that 
she may reach town before dark.’’ 

There was nothing for the British officer to 
do but accept the aid and the messenger tendered 
by Mr. Brenton. He produced a sealed letter 
directed to Captain Wallace of the Rose, which 
Mr. Brenton in turn enclosed in a sheet of paper 
on which he had written a few lines to his son- 
in-law. This being sealed up, they next turned 
their attention to negotiations for supplies of 
cattle and hogs for the ships hovering around 


II 


ALICE BRENTON 


the coast. The Brentons had, as Cuffy had 
betrayed to Alice, been in the habit of selling 
to the ships of his Majesty’s service quantities 
of livestock and other provisions, but this fact 
had been kept secret from the townspeople. 
As heretofore, all these were to be delivered under 
cover of darkness, and plans were laid and signals 
agreed upon for the safe transportation of the 
supplies to the vessels. Then, after again tasting 
of the excellent wine of the Brenton cellar. Lieu- 
tenant Bell and his brother officers took leave 
of their host and started for the shore, where 
the sailors were awaiting them with the boat. 

Immediately after their departure Mr. Brenton 
sent a messenger to acquaint Alice with his 
desire to see her in the drawing-room. With 
a vague feeling that her summons had some- 
thing to do with the advent of the British officers 
Alice hastily descended the stairs and entered 
the presence of the stately old man whom she 
called father. 

‘‘Alice, my child, what would you say if I told 
you that I had accepted a mission for you in the 
name of his Majesty King George ?” 


12 


ALICE BRENTON 


“A mission, father, a mission in the name of 
the King ? I do not understand/’ 

“To be plain with you, my dear, I will say 
that there is a message to be carried into town 
by a messenger who is both fleet and fearless 
and I have named you as the only one I know 
on Brenton’s Neck possessing these qualities. 
That I do not overestimate you I am sure, for 
on your peerless Narragansett pacer, Nellie, 
you are fleet as a deer and no braver girl lives 
in the American Colonies.” 

The girl’s fair face flushed. “ Since you estimate 
me so highly, father, I surely ought to do my 
best to deserve your approbation, but please 
tell me the nature of the mission on which you 
wish me to set out.” 

“Listen, my child, here is a letter for Captain 
Wallace of his Majesty’s ship, Rose, lying in the 
harbor. Lieutenant Bell of the Glasgow has 
just been here; it was he who brought it from 
his commanding officer. By some means it 
must be delivered without exciting any suspicion 
in Newport, for it is not desirable that it should 
be known that the captain of the Rose is in com- 


13 


ALICE BRENTON 


munication with the ships off the coast. You 
will not need to seek out Captain Wallace for, 
as you will perceive, the outside of the letter is 
addressed to your brother-in-law. Dr. Halli- 
burton. Take it to him, he will find directions 
inside to guide him, so you see that after all 
your mission is not so very difficult. I might 
have given you the letter for son John, I suppose, 
and have said nothing to you about the inner 
contents, but these are troublous times and 
there is no knowing what rascal of a rebel might 
be prowling round and demand your business 
on the road, and you, innocently, might say 
you were carrying a letter from me to your brother- 
in-law. In such a case there would be but one 
result, it would be taken from you, as we are 
both accounted loyal to the King. Now as a 
precaution you must hide it carefully, then take 
with you a change of clothing as you will make 
a short visit to your sister. Jim will ride behind 
you and carry your parcel. If any one challenges 
you, say you are going on a visit to your friends 
and on no account look as if any graver purpose 
was taking you to Newport to-day.’' 


ALICE BRENTON 


A shade of sadness overspread Alice’s fair face. 

“I accept the mission, father,” she said, “and 
I will guard the letter, if need be, with my life. 
The cause which you espouse should be my 
cause, and my duty should be to the King of 
England. I will be faithful to my trust and do 
as you bid me and in every way try to prove 
myself your most dutiful daughter, but were it 
not that maids have no business to criticise their 
elders, I would wish that we were on the side 
of the Colonists, rather than on the side of the 
King.” 

“What, Alice, you dare to wish we were all 
rebds and outlaws! Tut, child, don’t talk non- 
sense. We Brentons stood by our kings for 
many generations; we were always on the side 
of the King no matter whether he were a Tudor, 
a Stewart or a Hanoverian, — ^we were for the 
King, and I shall not be the first Brenton to turn 
rebel. You perhaps — but no, you are one of 
us. You cannot mean what you say. Did 
I think so, I would carry the letter myself were I 
to meet every rebel between here and Boston.” 

“I will take the letter, father, and no more 


15 


ALICE BRENTON 


faithful messenger did a king ever have than I 
shall prove, but I do it because you have ever 
been my kind and tender father,” said Alice, 
as the tears shone in her brown eyes. 

‘‘Well said, my little Alice, and I know you 
will keep your word. When all these troubles 
are over you will see as clearly as I do that all 
this talk of patriotism is tomfoolery. The Colon- 
ies belong to the King of England and our allegi- 
ance is due to him and there is no way of getting 
out of it. Now go and get ready for your ride, 
but first order a lunch, then see that your clothing 
is packed. I will order Jim to bring Nellie 
round saddled, with another horse for himself 
to ride. Don’t forget to conceal the letter some- 
where about your person and on no account 
allow a suspicion to dawn that you have any 
object in going to town other than a visit to your 
sister.” 


i6 


CHAPTER II 


The afternoon sunlight was dancing on the 
waves of Newport Harbor, and was reflected 
from the white sails of the miscellaneous crafts 
gathered there. The guns of the battery on Goat 
Island and of the redoubts on Brenton’s Point 
shone and glittered in the fierce rays which as 
yet held out valiantly against the fog. As Alice 
rode swiftly over the road she caught glimpses 
of the shining water and of the spreading sails, 
but her thoughts were too busily occupied other- 
wise to take much heed of either. Behind her 
rode Jim, her African servant, on a heavy bay 
horse which had to strain every limb to keep 
from letting the distance widen between himself 
and the pretty chestnut pacer, Nellie. 

Alice made a beautiful picture on horseback. 
Her dark green riding-habit hung in graceful 
folds according to the fashion of the time, and 
her stately head, with its wealth of dark hair, 
was becomingly crowned with a low, flat hat 

» 17 


ALICE BRENTON 


from which drooped a superb ostrich plume. 
The exercise of riding had brought a tinge of 
color to her otherwise creamy-white cheeks, and 
lent unwonted animation to the beautiful dark 
eyes and shapely mouth. 

A glance over her shoulder at her attendant, 
“Poor Jim,” she soliloquized, “I can almost 
hear him pant; too bad his horse is not as light 
of limb as my sweet Nellie, but I cannot afford 
to slacken up for his sake. This letter fairly 
bums through stays and all straight to my heart. 
I hate to carry it, but father has set his mind 
upon it and trusts me. He complimented me 
by calling me fleet and fearless. I wonder were 
I really his daughter if he would send me upon 
this errand; would he have sent Susanna.^” 
Then she laughed to herself as she went on, “I 
can picture Susanna, dear soul, being asked to 
do what I am doing. How frightened she would 
be, but then she is not strong like me. I feel 
so full of life and health I could ride straight 
to Boston to please dear old dad, for he has been 
everything to me all these years, poor little waif 
that I am.” 


i8 


ALICE BRENTON 


Then she urged Nellie still faster and behind 
her clattered Jim jolting along on his heavy 
steed, over the narrow road cut through the farms 
of Brenton’s Neck. Far different from the macad- 
amized road, over which the belles of the present 
day canter their horses, when they take their 
constitutional rides around the Ocean Drive, 
was this cart track in the year 1775, but Alice 
Brenton knew no other, and, hardy. Colonial 
girl that she was, enjoyed guiding her mettle- 
some Nellie over the stumps and stones, up hill 
and down. 

As she had hinted in her soliloquy, Alice was 
not really the daughter of Jahleel Brenton. 
Fifteen years before an unknown vessel was 
wrecked on Brenton’s Reef. Not a living soul 
was washed ashore but one little child and she 
was so closely clasped in the arms of a dead 
woman that with difficulty she was removed. 
Jahleel Brenton and his wife, in spite of their 
having a numerous family of their own, took 
the little waif of the sea to their hearts and home, 
and all the young Brentons from the eldest son, 
a rising officer iji his Majesty’s navy, to the 

^9 


ALICE BRENTON 


youngest daughter, Susanna, welcomed her as 
a baby sister of their own blood. That the woman 
in whose arms she was clasped, was her mother 
seemed evident, and that she was a lady was 
easily conjectured from the refinement of her 
person, her delicate hands, and the richness of 
her clothing. Around her neck hung a locket 
containing two miniatures; one of a man, young 
and handsome, the other of a woman, evidently 
herself. Under one was engraved in quaint 
letters “Roland,” under the other “Alice.” So 
securely was the locket clasped that the sea- 
water was unable to injure the pictures. 

The poor young mother was buried near the 
sea and a plain slab was erected telling of her 
tragic death. That was all. Never in all those 
fifteen years did the slightest clue as to the identity 
of the wreck or of the little waif cast ashore 
come to light and from a child of apparently 
two years old the little Alice, named after the 
original of the picture in the locket, grew into 
a tall and stately girl, brave, light-hearted and 
loving; beloved by her adopted family as one of 
themselves. 


20 


ALICE BRENTON 


Mr. Brenton and his wife believed it best 
that Alice’s story should be told to her when 
very young that she might be spared the rude 
shock of hearing it in maturer years. It was a 
wise resolution. She could never remember when 
she did not know that somehow, at some time, 
the blue, boundless sea had thrown her up on 
Brenton’s Point to be a little girl for the old couple 
in the great house and a younger sister to the 
young men and women who continually came 
and went. She talked about it to the slaves, 
and over and over again did old Cuffy tell her 
how fair and sweet she looked as she lay in her 
dead mother’s arms and how he carried her 
straight to “ole Missus” for a little daughter. 

Every day she visited the lonely grave by the 
sea. In summer she covered it with flowers, 
in the winter with evergreens. She could see it 
from her window the last thing at night and 
the first thing in the morning. Never did she 
feel herself an Interloper, as she would have done 
had she grown up believing herself a real Brenton 
and then had a rude awakening by the meddle- 
some tongue of a busybody. 


21 


ALICE BRENTON 


Warm as the day was Alice had no notion 
of lingering on the way, much to Jim’s disgust, 
and he hailed with delight the approach of 
a horseman, who was no other than one of 
the numerous admirers of his young mistress. 
‘‘Now Miss Alice will hab to stop and talk to 
Marse Cranston and I will get my bref, for Fse most 
done for,” said the poor fellow to himself. 

Alice did not enjoy the prospect of either the 
conversation or the delay. At another time 
it would not have been at all distasteful, as Harry 
Cranston was a pleasing and gallant young gentle- 
man, but the letter she carried was like a burning 
coal and she was in haste to get rid of it. 

“A pleasant day. Miss Brenton,” said the young 
man, as he bent his tall form to his saddle bow 
in the courtly fashion of the day. 

Alice answered gaily, but would willingly 
have passed on were it not that the road was 
narrow and Mr. Cranston’s horse stood in the 
center of it. Nothing short of rudeness could 
make her go on so she was forced to draw rein. 

“You have been riding fast for such a warm 
day. Miss Brenton, but I own it must be tempting 


22 


ALICE BRENTON 


to try the mettle of so fine an animal as yours 
no matter what the day may be/* 

“Yes, Mr. Cranston, I do ride fast, but not to 
try the mettle of my lovely Nellie, that I have 
tried many a time; but I have before me a long 
ride to town, where I am to make a visit to my 
sister, and in such times as these I would fain 
spend as little time upon the road as possible/* 
“Then you must pardon me for detaining 
you, and to make amends for any delay I may 
have occasioned you I humbly proffer my services 
as an escort to town. As you say, in such times 
it is best that young ladies should spend as little 
time as possible upon the road, particularly if 
unattended.** 

“Thank you, Mr. Cranston, you are very kind, 
but I am not altogether unattended, Jim rides 
behind me,*’ answered Alice naively. 

“Ah, I see, but Jim seems to have all he can 
do in taking care of himself and the ponderous 
steed which he rides, so really. Miss Bren ton, 
let me urge you to accept my poor services quite 
as much to relieve my mind of apprehensions, 
as for any protection I may be to you.” 

23 


ALICE BRENTON 


“Since you put it that way I will certainly 
accept your kindness and consign myself to your 
care, but what danger do you apprehend, Mr. 
Cranston 

“I do not wish to frighten you,’’ he said, as he 
turned his horse and rode along by her side, 
“but a number of foraging parties have been 
sent on shore by the warships lying at anchor and 
by some cruising outside and they are reported 
as not being very scrupulous as to their actions 
on shore. His Majesty’s sailors are like tigers let 
loose when they are granted free license on shore 
to do as they please to the inhabitants. Quite 
a number of skirmishes have taken place between 
them and the townspeople.” 

“ Has it come to that ?” asked Alice, her cheeks 
growing a trifle pale. 

“I should say it had, and will come to more 
before many days go by. Newport is being sorely 
tried and pressed by the King’s men and patience 
is at a low ebb. King George must be in his 
dotage to believe that the Colonists will submit 
to his arbitrary measures. He forgets that we 
are descended from men who left England rather 


24 


ALICE BRENTON 


than give up their principles; and after having 
been bom in an atmosphere of freedom we can- 
not be coerced into submission to tyranny.” 

Alice looked at him timidly, but did not answer. 
She only urged her steed faster. Was she doing 
right She, a messenger of King George, to 
accept as an escort and protector a vehement 
young patriot, whose very soul was on fire with 
the spirit of freedom ^ His next words made her 
tremble. 

“We have a great many Tories among us, 
who are carrying on secret communications with 
the British, and that makes the sailors still 
bolder. They know our strength and our weak- 
nesses as well as we do ourselves. We try to cut 
off all intercourse between these Tories and the 
ships, but they get the best of us every time. 
Somehow or other those on board the ships in 
the harbor know what is going on in town every 
day almost before it happens, and what is stranger 
still the ships outside seem to be quite as well 
informed. They know just where to send on 
shore for the best beeves and hogs, which farmer 
has the best sheep and when it is the best time 


25 


ALICE BRENTON 


to pounce on them. If we could only catch one 
of these traitors, woe to him.” 

Alice felt like a criminal and her head drooped 
almost to Nellie’s flowing mane. Mr. Cranston 
noticed her blanched cheeks and dejected appear- 
ance which contrasted so much with her usual 
lively spirits, and he immediately began to chide 
himself and apologize to her for his thoughtless 
tongue, which, he said, always ran away with 
him to his own discredit and the annoyance 
of his friends. 

The road over which they passed, being cut 
through the farms, was every now and then 
crossed by a gate. Over most of these gates 
Alice jumped her fiery little Nellie, but now as 
they approached one her courage seemed to desert 
her and she drew up mechanically, motioning to 
Jim to dismount and open it. Before the darkey 
could obey Mr. Cranston had leaped from his 
horse and throwing open the gate stood, hat in 
hand, his blue eyes dancing merrily, as he said: 

“Your most devoted slave. Miss Brenton.” 

His happy manner was contagious and Alice 
found herself again chatting freely as they neared 

26 


ALICE BRENTON 


the boundary of the town. Newport in those 
days did not extend farther south than the lower 
harbor line. Near the angle formed by the point, 
on which Fort Adams now stands, and the harbor 
front was a spot called Mile End. This was the 
southern limit of the town. 

After passing this point Alice and young Cran- 
ston proceeded more slowly northward through 
Thames Street. It was not like the Thames 
Street of the present day. The southern part 
was little more than a country road with grassy 
banks on either side, the few houses being on the 
east side of the street. The west side sloped 
to the harbor’s edge with now and then a wharf 
extending into the water. Farther north towards 
the center of the town the houses became more 
numerous and closer together, not built hard 
up to the roadway, as at the present time, but 
set far back from it, many of them with gardens 
in front. Most of these were small gambrel- 
roofed cottages with overhanging roofs, which 
are still to be seen all over Newport, some on 
side streets and some in courts and alleys, whence 
they have been moved to give place to larger 


27 


ALICE BRENTON 


and more desirable buildings. The wharves 
with their offices and warehouses also became 
numerous, indicating Newport’s commercial pros- 
perity; but there was an ominous idle look about 
them now. Merchants dared not engage in 
enterprises with a war-cloud hanging in the sky, 
and it did not need the fast-gathering fog to 
dispense a gloom where once was thrift and 
bustle. 

Dr. John Halliburton, to whom Alice was 
bearing the letter, lived at that time with his 
wife and child in the town-house of Jahleel Bren- 
ton. A few of the wealthy Newporters in those 
days prided themselves on having two residences, 
one in the country for the summer months, and 
one in town where they spent the winters. Mr. 
Brenton owned the elegant country-house on 
Brenton’s Point near the ocean and named it 
Hammersmith after his native place in England. 
He also owned Brenton House on Thames Street, 
surrounded by many acres of lawn and gardens. 
In Brenton House resided his son-in-law. Dr. 
Halliburton, as Mr. Brenton and his wife, getting 
along in years as they were, no longer cared to be 

28 


ALICE BRENTON 


disturbed every six months by moving. Mrs. 
Halliburton was the youngest of her father’s 
children and by the law would not inherit the fine 
old house in which she lived, but her eldest brother 
being still unmarried and away at sea as a captain 
in the British navy, by family consent she was 
living there until the new home her father was to 
give her was completed This new house was 
delayed in its building through the troublesome 
state of affairs and it now seemed doubtful if work 
upon it would ever be resumed. Carpenters 
and builders were more interested in resisting 
the tyranny of King George by erecting forts 
and redoubts than in building houses. 

The fog was fast settling over the town as the 
two young riders approached the Brenton House. 
Alice was not sorry that her journey was nearly 
completed. Although not four miles in length, 
it seemed interminable, considering the state of 
her mind. The boisterous shouts of a party of 
sailors, who had imbibed too freely at a tavern, 
reached her ears, and as they passed the gang, 
Jim was greeted with peals of insolent laughter 
and coarse jests as he jolted along. 


29 


ALICE BRENTON 


‘‘They deserve to have their heads cracked/’ 
said Harry Cranston, his fine face flushed with 
anger, but he added, 

“What good would it do? There are plenty 
more where they came from. Let us bide our time 
and if the King’s sailors do not have to humble 
themselves it will not be because Newport men 
can’t fight.” 

Dr. Halliburton came out to meet his pretty 
sister-in-law. Alice was a favorite with all of 
her adopted family, and the brotherly kiss he 
gave her was one of genuine regard as he helped 
her from the saddle. 

“There run in and find Sue and the baby, 
their delight at seeing you will equal mine,” 
he said, and turning to Harry Cranston he rather 
constrainedly thanked him for escorting Alice 
and invited him to enter and refresh himself. 
The difference in politics of the two men told 
in their manner and words, although only the most 
polite sentences were exchanged. 

Harry thanked the doctor, but declined his 
hospitality and rode off, while Jim leisurely led 
Nellie and his own cumbrous steed round to 


30 


ALICE BRENTON 


the stables, where he regaled the coachman and 
grooms with an account of Miss Alice’s break- 
neck ride to town and of the drunken sailors 
they encountered, from whose clutches they 
certainly escaped by being under the protection 
of “ Marse Harry Cranston.” 

‘‘Tell you what,” he said to Pomp, the coach- 
man, “Marse Harry lubs de berry ground Miss 
Alice walks on.” 

“ Sho, how do you know .?” asked Pomp con- 
temptuously. - 

“I knows ’cause I knows, he held his head 
jest so, as he talked to her,” and Jim with the 
imitative powers of his race took upon himself 
the exact attitude of Mr. Cranston as he rode 
beside Miss Brenton. 

A roar of laughter from the other negroes 
greeted him. 

“Dat’s de way Jim’s going to hold his head 
when he talks to Diana after supper,” said one. 

“Hold your tongue,” said Jim getting angry, 
“I knows better than to mock the quality folks, 
’sides I don’t want Diana.” 

“Stop all this noise,” said Pomp, “ get to work 

3 ^ 


ALICE BRENTON 


and clean down de horses and let Miss Alice 
and Marse Cranston alone. Does yer tink dat 
her pa would let her hah a rebel ?” 

‘‘A rebel!’’ cried Jim. 

‘‘Yes, a rebel, ye fool, that’s what Marse 
Harry Cranston is.” 

“O Lor’, and I rode behind him and Miss 
Alice and never knowed it, right by a gang of 
sailors that might hab had a fight with him and 
den what a time we would hab! O Lor’, I nebber 
knowed I was passin’ through tribylations !” 
and amid the laughter of his fellow servants Jim 
went lazily to work upon the horses. 


32 


CHAPTER III 


“So OUR little girl has proved a loyal messenger 
and what beats all she came under the escort 
of one of the hottest-headed young rebels in the 
Colony. Ha, ha, ha! It makes me laugh to 
think how little Harry Cranston thought he was 
escorting a letter on its way to Captain Wallace; 
’pon my soul, Alice, you have done well!” 

“I feel ashamed of myself. Brother John, so 
please do not praise me any more. It was mean 
of me to profit by Mr. Cranston’s protection 
when I was coming here on an errand detrimental 
to his cause, but I had promised father to bring 
the letter hither and so had to come and it was 
only by accident that I met him.” 

Alice’s cheeks burned and her eyes were wet 
as she spoke. She looked upon the whole thing 
in a different light from that in which her brother- 
in-law saw it. Dr. Halliburton chuckled: 

“Wait until you are a little older, Alice, and 
you will think differently. Everything is fair 


ALICE BRENTON 


in love and war, you know, and war is surely 
coming. Let us hope there is no love mixed 
with your remorse, for desirable as Harry Cranston 
might be in time of peace, his sentiments in these 
times are not to be tolerated.” 

Alice’s color deepened as she said: 

‘^No fear of that. Brother John. Harry and I 
are good friends, I respect him for his good 
qualities and that is all. He is honest in his 
convictions and I detest myself for hiding my 
real errand to town when he so kindly escorted 
me, but as for love neither of us has ever thought 
of such a thing.” 

“That may be; it is reassuring, certainly,” 
the doctor said aloud, but mentally he thought, 

“If that is the case on your part, on the part 
of Mr. Cranston it looks serious.” 

At that moment Mrs. Halliburton entered 
the room with her baby in her arms. 

Susanna Halliburton, born Susanna Brenton, 
was a dainty young matron of twenty-four, fair 
and blue-eyed with the fluffiest light brown 
ringlets escaping from the confinement of her 
high-backed comb and her home gown of figured 


34 


ALICE BRENTON 


muslin was in strict accordance with her style 
of beauty both of fice and figure. 

‘‘Ah, here you are, you dear child, why did 
you not come up stairs immediately ? I never 
knew until this very minute that you were here.’’ 

“I had a message from father for Brother John 
and waited to deliver it,” answered Alice as she 
returned the kiss and embrace of her sister. 

“A message?” Susanna looked apprehensively 
from one to the other. “Is there anything wrong 
with my parents ?” 

The doctor laughed. “Sue thinks that a man 
of my calling never gets a message that does not 
imply misfortune. No, my dear, there is nothing 
the matter with your honored parents, they 
are enjoying their usual health. The message was 
one that concerns other parties — Alice and I are 
only go-betweens; so we will think no more about 
it, and you two ladies must now excuse me, for 
I have duties which will not brook delay.” 

Alice followed her sister to the room which 
was usually hers during her visits to town. Here 
she found the maid, Diana, arranging her be- 
longings. 


35 


ALICE BRENTON 


“Poor John/’ said Mrs. Halliburton, “he is 
worked to death. There is a great deal of sick- 
ness in town and everything is in commotion 
owing to the rebels. I wish all the trouble was 
over.” 

It never occurred to either Alice or the doctor 
to explain the nature of the message. It would 
never have done for them to do so. Susanna was 
a sweet, lovable woman, but, withal, one of the 
kind which has given the weaker sex the name 
of never being able to keep a secret. Strange to 
say she realized her besetting fault, and if at times 
she felt a little resentment at being kept out of 
secrets she accepted things as the result of her 
propensity for indiscriminate talking. So when 
her husband vouchsafed no further information 
and Alice explained nothing, she suppressed a 
little sigh and accepted their want of confidence 
meekly. 

“How fortunate it is that you have come,” 
said the pretty hostess as she tossed her baby 
to the negro girl and began with her own hands 
to assist Alice to doff the heavy riding-habit 
and put on a dainty rose-colored silk designed 

36 


ALICE BRENTON 


for home wear on summer evenings. ‘‘ Only to-day 
Kate and Anne Hunter called to inquire for you. 
They are getting up a little garden party consisting 
of a few young ladies and gentlemen, some of 
them officers from the ships, with two or three 
of us married ladies to chaperone them as the 
French say, and they want you above all others. 
They tried to send a messenger to Hammer- 
smith, but not a darkey would dare go for fear 
of the sailors. Upon my word, I think we are 
in a bad state here, surrounded by rebels, and 
sailors walking our streets, who frighten our 
servants half to death and make them obstreperous 
and disobedient. Now that you are here I will 
send over and let them know and everything 
can be arranged.’’ 

‘‘How delightful,” exclaimed Alice, “I am surely 
the most fortunate of girls, but who are the girls 
to be there, and where is the garden ? I think 
you said it was to be a garden party.” 

“One question at a time, please, or I shall have 
to jot them down upon my tablets and number 
them; let me see, the first is, ‘Who are the girls ?’ 
Well, the Robinsons, Peggy Champlin, Mary 

37 


ALICE BRENTON 


Wanton, Polly Ward, your two Jewish friends, 
Rachel Touro and Sarah Riviera, who are 
soon to depart for Jamaica with their parents, 
and a few others whose names I don’t recall. 
Then there are four young men, who belong 
here in town, besides several officers. These with 
the few married people will make quite a gathering. 
Now for the garden, the most delightful place 
on this whole isle of the blest. Anne could 
hardly contain herself when she told me they 
obtained permission to have it at her grandfather 
Malbone’s old place.” 

“That is perfectly splendid,” Alice exclaimed. 

“You see,” continued Mrs. Halliburton, “it 
is secluded and out of the way of both rebels 
and sailors, so there is no fear of any annoyance 
from one or the other. To be sure there are some 
invited who are not of our way of thinking, I 
mean they are inclined to favor rebellion, but 
it is to be an occasion of pleasure only and it 
is to be hoped that all party feelings will be laid 
aside, and all attention given to having a good 
time. There, now you look lovely,” and Mrs. 
Halliburton turned her sister round to the glass 

38 


ALICE BRENTON 


and gave a few finishing touches to the dark 
hair, looping up a stray ringlet, settling the tortoise- 
shell combs more securely, and lastly giving a 
gentle pat on either side of the shapely head. 

‘‘I wish some one would drop in this evening,’^ 
she added, ‘‘but the days for such sociability 
are over. We are to all intents and purposes 
under martial law and every one is at home to 
stay, after sunset, all except doctors. I often 
wish dear John was not a doctor, you have no 
idea of the anxiety I feel for him in these unsettled 
times. Never marry a doctor, Alice, it is as bad 
as marrying a soldier.’’ 

Meanwhile Dr. Halliburton had hastened to 
the Pitt Tavern, where many of the ships’ officers 
were wont to assemble when on shore, there to 
meet friendly Tories of the town and drink to 
the health of the King, to the confusion of his 
enemies. This Pitt Tavern stood near the Court 
House, on what is now called the Parade, and 
but a short distance from the Brenton House. 

As the doctor had surmised, there were two 
or three officers lingering over their punch in 
the tap-room, and these he speedily joined. 

39 


ALICE BRENTON 


It did not take long to inform them by a sentence 
thrown in now and then, that he had a letter 
intrusted to him for Captain Wallace. There was 
need of careful wording for many of the hangers 
on, not to speak of the servants and Lillibridge, 
the host, were patriots of the deepest dye, but 
the officers had quick ears and brains and no sooner 
had they realized the doctor’s mission among 
them than an opportunity was soon accorded 
him to deliver the letter to one of their number. 
A lieutenant grew particularly hilarious, enough 
to deceive any ordinary observer into thinking him 
very drunk. Not so the doctor, he saw the ruse 
immediately, and when the young man’s chair 
slipped from under him and he slid under the 
table, it took the doctor but a second to stoop 
down to look at him, as it were, and at the same 
time slip the letter into his hand. 

No one that night in Newport knew that the 
boat which was rowed out to the Rose, with 
belated officers on board, carried a message 
that would bring trouble and disaster to a sister 
town and aid and provisions to their enemies. 
Neither did they think it possible that a fair young 

40 



A lieutenant grew particularly hilarious. 





s ■ r^i s 




^V. 




4 *4 


iV'' t : 


S£*-i »-:r:T 


■f 










4 “ ' - n 



I I 


r vi^ 

. V „ ‘ 






4. •• ^i5I- • WJ -'*VI 


I -.• 7^.5 •• 




V. 


» ••«> 


■ 'Tir*- • 



-..vr-w ■’i.-z 


^ r 


I * 5SSrk«*“‘« ^ 7 : ->■ ' * 

^ ^ -'■ - • '• - 7 v- 





^ 1 ':' .■ 


,» 


: sc^ 


: r. 




f* 




‘ / 


•iV *\ 

* « t * *. 


A 






( « 





c- -i- v./-‘ ■ , ..-r . • 


■■ j* r<jL. 

»^,V ;; 




■ r;. : ‘ 

>■• V I* * WCJ 




1 i I 


^ t 




m-.- r 


. - r; ‘ *■ ( 


,. ?:<*. ■■•j. V- 31 ^ 4 * >t.4A 

‘ ■ I ' '* ’I ^ * \ ' ** I * * 

- r._ „ xiJjCorjfliC^ ' JA^-cM 


i 


• r-* 4^ 




-> * 


’■■*■ A 


. ‘-••iV 





ALICE BRENTON 


girl sleeping peacefully in their midst could have 
been the chief agent in transmitting it to their 
hands. 

Well for the young girl herself that she did not 
know of the ominous cloud hanging over the 
devoted little State. Unsettled as she was be- 
tween her convictions, and loyalty to her friends, 
it would have been a grievous burden for one 
so young, but the time was fast approaching 
when Alice Brenton would choose for herself, 
not without trials and heartaches to be sure, but 
these only served to make her devotion stronger 
and an equal to that of many heroic women of 
the Revolution. 




CHAPTER IV 


A GALA day at the old Malbone garden. More 
than ten years had elapsed since the stately 
home of Godfrey Malbone had been burned, 
leaving nothing but the blackened walls to mark 
the spot where it had once stood. Many people 
to this day delight in telling the story of the 
disaster; how a fire broke out while a dinner- 
party was in progress, and how the host imme- 
diately ordered that the tables be set out on the 
lawn, under the spreading cedars of Lebanon, 
saying, “If I lose my house I will not lose my 
dinner.” 

There the company sat down, while the fire 
crackled and roared, and partook of the bounteous 
fare, at least so the story goes. Beautiful Kathar- 
ine Hunter was relating the story to a fair-haired 
young officer of the Rose. Katharine took pride 
in the pluckiness of her stately grandsire and 
spoke with animation. 

“You Colonists are full of courage. Miss Hun- 


42 


ALICE BRENTON 


ter,’’ the officer observed. “Unless good sense 
and loyalty prevail I fear the King will find it 
by no means easy to maintain his rights on this 
side of the ocean.” 

“The Colonists are Englishmen and all English- 
men are brave,” answered Katharine with a 
rippling laugh, “but do not talk about such 
things. In these times when one begins to talk 
on the subject of bravery and loyalty it generally 
ends in a political discussion, and that we must 
avoid to-day. Our guests are to forget every- 
thing but enjoyment.” 

The officer bowed: “Such being your pleasure, 
my dear Miss Hunter, will you kindly add to my 
enjoyment by presenting me to that lovely girl 
yonder who has just arrived.” 

“Which one asked Miss Hunter. “There are 
many lovely girls here.” 

“She has just dismounted from her horse,” 
he answered. 

“Ah, yes, to be sure, that is the dearest girl 
in Rhode Island, my sweet friend, Alice Brenton. 
Come this way and I will introduce you.” 

It took but a moment to effect an introduction 


43 


ALICE BRENTON 


between the two young people. The eyes of Alice 
Brenton and those of the young naval officer 
met for an instant, and a look of intense admira- 
tion flashed from the latter. This was jealously 
observed by Harry Cranston, who had accom- 
panied Alice and Mrs. Halliburton by assignment. 
Lieutenant Welland was looked upon as an enemy 
in more ways than one by the impetuous young 
patriot. 

The society of Newport at this period was, 
perhaps, more varied than in most of the Colonies. 
The extreme liberality of the laws of Rhode Island 
invited to her shores many who would have been 
persecuted elsewhere. Hence many of her best 
families were of the Society of Friends and many 
more were Baptists, while numerous Jews were 
established in her midst. Rigid Episcopalians 
were also among her best citizens, as her hand- 
somely equipped Trinity Church could testify. 

A young Boston girl of the time, had she been 
strictly brought up, would have been horrified 
to have met at this garden party representatives 
of all these different sects, but so well had the seed, 
planted by Roger Williams, been nurtured that 


44 


ALICE BRENTON 


the question of creed scarcely ever came up as a 
social qualification. 

One after the other the young hostesses greeted 
their friends; there were sweet Polly Lawton, 
the beautiful Quakeress; Mary and Ah by Robin- 
son of the same faith; Rachel Touro and Sarah 
Riviera, the lovely Jewesses with their dark faces 
and flashing eyes; three or four Baptists; as many 
Episcopalians, among whom were the Hunters 
themselves and Alice Brenton; besides a few 
of Dr. Styles’ flock, strict orthodox Congrega- 
tionalists. The young men, with the exception 
of Harry Cranston, William Ward, and John 
Hunter, were naval officers in his Majesty’s 
service. 

The table was spread on the south terrace by 
the servants. A bountiful repast well suited to 
appease the appetites of hungry young people 
was provided, and laughter and jokes ran riot. 
Occasionally, in spite of the injunctions of the 
hostesses, some one touched upon the state of the 
times, particularly when Rachel Touro spoke 
of her approaching departure for Jamaica. Sarah 
Riviera also spoke of going away. These two 

45 


ALICE BRENTON 


young ladies were great favorites, and would 
be sadly missed. 

“It is positively dangerous to venture on the 
sea in these times,’’ said one young girl of pro- 
nounced Tory principles. “Only a short time 
ago the Georgian fleet was attacked by rebel 
galleys just olF the Rhode Island coast. It was 
on its way to Halifax with Governor Wright and 
a party of loyal refugees on board. I would not 
mind going to Halifax or to Jamaica myself 
were it not that danger on sea seems worse than 
danger on land.” 

“For my part I prefer to stand by the old town; 
come what may, as Newport goes so go I,” said 
Miss Peggy Champlin so decisively that even the 
British officers applauded her. The history of 
the town tells us how well Miss Peggy kept her 
word and how well her patriotism was honored 
even by the great Washington himself. 

“The rebels are getting to be shockingly ty- 
rannical,” went on the girl with Tory tendencies. 
“I understand an order is soon to be issued for 
all loyalists and all suspected of loyalty to the 
crown to leave town at very short notice.” 

46 


ALICE BRENTON 


Mary Hunter’s face paled. Only that morning 
she overheard her father regretting that such 
was likely to be the case and being an Englishman 
he expected any moment to receive his dismissal 
from the home he had known for years. How- 
ever, her gentle dignity prevailed and she instantly 
sought a means of changing the dangerous subject. 
Turning to Harry Cranston she said, as they 
rose from the table, ‘‘Harry, suppose we show 
the guests about the ruins. They are really 
growing picturesque in their neglect, and then, 
perhaps, some one would feel venturesome enough 
to like the idea of exploring the cave under the 
second terrace.” 

The young people separated into groups. The 
old cave, thought by some to have been a hiding- 
place for smugglers in the years gone by, and by 
others merely a place to imprison refractory slaves, 
filled some minds to the exclusion of things more 
momentous. Alice had little inclination to descend 
into its depths, and so stood apart as they, one 
by one, gathered up their skirts and were handed 
down the shaky ladder by the gentlemen. Lieu- 
tenant Welland was by her side in a moment. 


47 


ALICE BRENTON 


‘‘Like myself you seem to prefer the fresh 
air of the upper regions to descending into ‘Aver- 
nus’ this delightful day, Miss Brenton,” he said. 

“Yes, indeed, the world is too beautiful to 
shut out one particle of it. Did you ever ex- 
perience a more perfect afternoon ?” 

“Never, your climate is something never to be 
forgotten and I really wish that we in his Majesty’s 
service were here on a pleasanter mission, for it 
certainly makes a fellow feel uncomfortable 
to be looked at askance by half the nice people 
he meets.” 

“Do people look askance at one of his Majesty’s 
officers ? You have a poor opinion of the loyalty 
of most of the Newport people.” 

Alice’s dark eyes looked mischievously into the 
face of the young officer, who, slightly discon- 
certed, said: 

“I beg a thousand pardons. Miss Brenton. 
You are undoubtedly one of the King’s own, and 
so see only other loyalists, but this town is a hot- 
bed of rebellion and intrigue, and we who are 
officers in the King’s navy meet but few friends 
on shore, if I might except the pleasant company 

48 


ALICE BRENTON 


of to-day. Do you know, Miss Brenton, I feel 
as if I were back in Old England to-day among 
my dearest and best friends 

‘‘I am glad our company has proved so enjoy- 
able to you, for you must, I am sure, pass many 
a lonesome hour so far away from all you hold 
dear. Have you parents and brothers and 
sisters ?*’ 

‘^Yes, parents, two brothers, and three sisters, 
and will you pardon me if I confide in you ? 
Don’t laugh at me, but I have left the sweetest 
and dearest girl in the world, who has promised 
to be my wife when I return to England, and 
the reason why I felt myself back in the old country 
to-day is because you make me think so much 
of her. When you dismounted from your horse 
I could see every movement of my beautiful 
Beatrice; and when you turned your head I thought 
it was her face that met my view, but you are 
darker, you have less color in your cheeks, and 
you are scarcely as tall, but otherwise you might 
be her own sweet self.” 

“How I would like to see her,” said Alice, 
“perhaps we might become very fond of each 


49 


ALICE BRENTON 


other, and she has such a pretty name, Beatrice; 
but here we are separated by three thousand miles 
of sea, and what is worse, more than three thousand 
miles of obstacles in the shape of wars and rumors 
of war/’ 

“Beatrice has a brother, who is an officer with 
Sir Henry Clinton in America. He is Lieutenant 
Alfred Stanley, and as fine a fellow as there is 
in the whole British army. I am proud to hope 
that he will one day be my brother-in-law. When 
all this trouble is over with the Colonists, we may 
both of us find our way back to England; and 
I hardly think it will last much longer, for, not- 
withstanding the populace, the influential people 
of the country are on our side. Only last night 
a message came to Captain Wallace from the 
Glasgow, which is somewhere oflF the coast. 
The message came through such a channel as to 
leave no doubt that some of the highest class 
people are our staunchest allies.” 

Alice Brenton’s face flushed, but the young 
man was too intently gazing at the landscape 
to notice it, and had he done so the actual cause 
would never have suggested itself. 


50 


ALICE BRENTON 


‘‘How curiously like some parts of the Nether- 
lands,” he said, “that low, swampy land stretch- 
ing out to the bay. It seems as if the water was 
higher than the land, and there lies the Rose, 
quiet and peaceful looking; may she never have 
to point her guns at the beautiful town below us.” 

“That would be dreadful,” said Alice, “but 
we must not think of unpleasant things to-day; 
here are our friends arising from the cave to the 
upper regions of light and air, and you know 
Miss Hunter bade us say nothing about the state 
of the times.” 

Harry Cranston cast a furtive glance at Alice 
and the lieutenant while he was handing Mrs. 
Halliburton out of the cave, and that young 
matron at once began to suggest various games 
and frolics. Some little time passed in this way 
until the sun was observed to be sinking low in 
the west and then preparations were ordered 
for the ride home. The girls repaired to the 
seclusion of the old farmhouse, where they donned 
their riding skirts, and soon all were cantering 
along the narrow road which led to the main 
highway. 


51 


ALICE BRENTON 


At a bend in the way stood a little one-story 
cottage with its end to the road, the entrance 
to the front door being through a pretty garden, 
in which stood the inevitable well with its long 
sweep. At the gate stood an old man with a 
rake on his shoulder. At the sight of the gay 
cavalcade, his brow fell, and an exclamation 
escaped his lips. The Hunter girls saluted him 
as an old neighbor of their grandfather, but he 
scarcely noticed their kindly nods. His eyes 
were on the tall form of Harry Cranston, who 
had lingered in the rear, digusted with himself 
and the rest of the world, because Lieutenant 
Welland still paid court to Alice Brenton. 

A motion of the hand by the old man was 
sufficient to make Harry Cranston rein in his 
horse. 

“Let me give you a drink from the best well 
in Rhode Island,” said he, and walked to the 
well and proceeded to lower the bucket. 

“ Best let folks think you got thirsty and stopped 
for a dipperful at the old well. While you drink 
ril talk. Say, that was purty good, that ’ere 
job last night over at Romes’s, eighty-four barrels 

52 


ALICE BRENTON 


of flour taken from his storehouse, right under 
the noses of the marines. That flour was meant 
for the Britishers. Now they’ll have to sing 
for it.” 

‘‘ Where have they stored it ?” asked Harry, as 
he began to drink. 

Hn the brick market, and, harkee. Master 
Harry, if ye want fun to-night there’ll be lots 
of it. Ezek Hopkins and Billy Richmond are 
laying low out that over the Middletown line, 
and as soon as it is dark they and three hundred 
more on ’em are going to march straight for 
the Brenton farms down on the Neck, and bring 
off all the cattle and sheep out there. There 
has been too much of this sellin’ and givin’ to 
the British for the last three months.” 

Harry’s heart sank. Patriot as he was, he 
felt it hard to see Alice’s home despoiled. Be- 
sides he had spent many happy hours on Jahleel 
Brenton’s farm and had been kindly treated by 
the whole family. However, there was little 
use to remonstrate with the old man, and after 
asking several questions, which were promptly 
answered, as Harry’s reputation for patriotism 


53 


ALICE BRENTON 


was well known, he rode on after the rest of the 
party. 

The sun was setting as Alice and Mrs. Hallibur- 
ton drew their bridle-reins in front of their own 
door. Lieutenant Welland and Harry Cranston 
were in attendance, the former smiling and 
attentive, the latter gloomy and dispirited. 

Dr. Halliburton appeared in the portico and 
invited the young men to enter, which invitation 
the English officer only too gladly accepted. 
Harry excused himself and rode away with a 
shadow on his face. 

“What is the matter with Harry Cranston 
inquired the doctor. “Have you been ill-treating 
him, Alice ?” 

“No, Brother John, but he has worn a long 
face all day, and it has grown longer ever since 
he talked with that old man who gave him a 
drink of water on the Malbone Road.” 

“What old man asked her brother-in-law. 

“Oh, old Mr. Hubbard, who lives in the little 
cottage near the turn of the road.” 

“As rank an old rebel as ever lived! Ell wager 
anything that mischief is brewing and he has told 

54 


ALICE BRENTON 


Harry all about it. I’ll do Harry credit for being 
a gentleman, and if there is any foul play about 
to take place he will do his best to prevent it. 
He differs from me in politics, and he is not a 
loyal subject of his Majesty; but neither is he 
one to take unlawful measures against his fellow 
townsmen. If old Hubbard has told him of any 
new proceedings like those which took place 
last night over at Romes’s he is likely to look 
glum.’’ 

“What a dreadful state of affairs!” exclaimed 
Mrs. Halliburton, “and now that I come to think 
of it, Mary and Abby Robinson live over there 
on the Point, not far from Romes’s. How danger- 
ous for them to ride over there this evening!” 

The doctor laughed good-humoredly at his 
wife’s sudden solicitude for her young friends. 

“Lightning seldom strikes twice in the same 
place; next time the rebels act it will be far distant 
from the Point,” he said. 

Dr. Halliburton was thinking of his wife’s 
father out on the Neck, where depredations 
might easily be committed and little defense be 
made. 


55 


ALICE BRENTON 


The next day when it was noised about Newport 
that the Brenton farms had been visited in the 
night by three hundred Minute-men and despoiled 
of more than sixty head of cattle, besides hogs 
and sheep, the doctor felt that his fears had been 
well founded. No one told him, however, that 
Harry Cranston had met them as they entered 
the town that night and tried to persuade the 
leaders that it was unmanly and cowardly to attack 
the home of a defenseless old gentleman and take 
his property. Ezek Hopkins was not to be 
persuaded, neither was William Richmond, and 
a sinister warning was given to young Cranston 
that the same fate awaited luke-warm patriots 
as that which was dealt out to the Tories: namely, 
a coat of tar and feathers. 

Finding remonstrances useless, Harry next 
thought of sending a warning to the Brentons, 
but so fast did the Minute-men cover the ground 
it was impossible to precede them, so he found 
that the best thing he could do was to join them 
and by his presence keep them in check and pre- 
vent unnecessary violence. 

So well did he succeed that the Brenton home 

56 


ALICE BRENTON 


was not entered, only the livestock was driven 
away, leaving even the barns and outhouses 
intact, a circumstance unprecedented in those 
times. 


57 


CHAPTER V 


The next day was an exciting one in the 
Halliburton household. The news of the pillag- 
ing of the farms caused a burst of indignation 
throughout the house from Mrs. Halliburton’s 
dainty morning-room to the summer kitchen, 
where Aunt Cassie reigned supreme. 

Alice walked about the house aimlessly, her 
face flushed and her eyes downcast. She tried 
to feel that the patriots were her enemies and the 
enemies of her King, but instead of blindly ab- 
horring them as her sister was doing, she kept 
up a constant reasoning in her mind as to the 
justice of their cause, and the fact that she, her- 
self, had undoubtedly done something towards 
injuring them, made the seizure of the Bren ton 
property only an act of retribution in her eyes. 

That afternoon another commotion was pro- 
duced, not only in the household, but throughout 
the town, for the Rose had suddenly weighed 
anchor and slowly started up the bay 

58 


ALICE BRENTON 


Where was she going? People thronged the 
shore and climbed to the house-tops and were 
astonished to see, as she reached the northern 
end of Conanicut Island, that she was joined 
by five other armed vessels, which had entered 
the bay by the west passage. The redoubts 
opened fire upon them and were answered by the 
ships. No damage seemed to be done on either side 
and the King’s fleet proceeded north without inter- 
ruption. 

Consternation was depicted on nearly every 
face. The meeting of the Rose with the other 
ships was no accident. It was premeditated 
and pre-arranged. If some one was found to 
carry messages from the ships outside to the Rose 
lying in the harbor, in spite of the fact that the 
entrance was closely guarded, who could be 
trusted ? Surely a traitor was in their midst. 

Dr. Halliburton heard all this talk as he visited 
his patients and could scarcely control himself. 
When he reached home he called Alice and gaily 
congratulated her on having set the town in 
commotion. 

“No one but you, and I, and Father Brenton, 


59 


ALICE BRENTON 


know who carried that message. It was quite 
a bright plan to get the Rose to join the other 
ships. I do not know what their mission is up 
the bay, but it’s in the interest of King George; 
and you, my little sister, will be toasted as a heroine 
by all the officers of the fleet as soon as all this 
trouble is over.” 

The next morning Alice mounted her horse 
and with Jim riding behind her, started for home. 
Nothing interfered with her journey, although 
she encountered many sinister looks from those 
she met on the way. Jahleel Bren ton’s daughter 
had not much better to expect from the patriots. 
On arriving at Hammersmith she found every- 
thing in commotion. Servants were packing 
away household treasures, nailing boxes, stumbling 
over each other, scolding and lamenting all at 
once. 

Mrs. Brenton, aged and careworn, met her at 
the head of the stairs. “Alice, my dear, I am 
giad you have returned. I need your young 
spirits to revive me in these depressing times. 
We are sadly harassed, your father and I.” 

“I heard all about the dastardly outrage while 

6o 


ALICE BRENTON 


in town, mother, and hastened home to be near 
you in case of any more invasions on our property; 
but what is the meaning of all this household 
confusion ? You surely have not started house- 
cleaning in the middle of summer.” 

“Would that it were nothing worse than house- 
cleaning. Yesterday, a deputation from the As- 
sembly came to us with a peremptory order for 
all Tories to leave town and, in fact, the Colony, 
and your father being particularly noted as one, 
must go without delay. Has not Son-in-law- 
John received such notice If he has not, one 
will be forthcoming, for not a single friend to 
King George is to be left in Newport, so I under- 
stand.” 

“No notice had arrived while I was in town, 
but he may get one any moment for everything 
is in commotion since the ships went up the bay. 
Have you any idea why they went ^ Brother 
John says it was a message, which I carried, that 
brought the ships together.” 

“Yea, by some means your father has been 
informed that the plan has been carried out for 
the ships to go up the bay, after joining the Rose, 

6l 


ALICE BRENTON 


and attack Bristol. It is a hot-bed of rebellion 
and should be brought to terms. It was necessary 
that the Rose should go, as she carried better 
guns than the others, and that was probably 
the import of the message which you carried. 

Alice sank down in a chair. ‘‘I wish, mother, 
that I had never carried that message. War 
is a terrible thing, and to think of my being 
accessory to an attack upon a defenseless town 
is dreadful.” 

“It has enraged the people very much and that 
is probably the cause of the astringent measures 
adopted by the Assembly. You need not reproach 
yourself, however, for if you had not done it some 
one else would, and it is no worse for the people 
of Bristol than it was for your father and me, and 
our terrified servants, the other night when those 
fiendish Minute-men came here and took away 
our cattle, sheep, hogs, and fodder. I hope I may 
never see such another night, but no one knows 
what is coming. Here we are obliged in our old 
age, to go, no one knows where.” 

Here the old lady burst into tears and Alice, 
forgetful of all else, tried every way in her power 

62 


ALICE BRENTON 


to soothe her. Mrs. Brenton, never very strong, 
was completely unstrung, and it was with difficulty 
that the girl at last succeeded in quieting her, 
and in making her lie down to rest. Then Alice 
went to her own room, took off her riding-habit, 
and began to think over the situation. It was a 
serious matter, this going away from the only 
home she had ever known. How she would miss 
every nook and corner, the sea, and that lonely 
grave. Oh, war, war, cruel, remorseless war! 
Never before had she realized how much she loved 
her home and the people who made it, but what 
would the home be without the people ? Father 
and mother, the dear old folks, who had taken 
her a waif from the sea, where they went, there 
would be her home. It would not be so bad 
after all. In far off Nova Scotia, where most 
of the refugees were going, she might be just 
as happy as in Rhode Island. After changing 
her dress she went down stairs and sought Mr. 
Brenton. The old gentleman greeted her gravely 
and began to talk on the subject most at heart. 

“We have exasperated the rebels, Alice, and 
must leave Hammersmith,’’ he said. “It is a sad 

63 


ALICE BRENTON 


blow in my old age, but Brentons have suffered 
before for king and country. I do not grieve 
so much for myself as for your dear mother. 
In her state of health I fear the change will prove 
fatal. If the rebels were not so high-handed 
they might at least leave the old and infirm in 
their homes after having pillaged them. Some 
of our people have asked clemency of the rebels 
and will remain in the town, but I never will. 
Your mother and I will go out as exiles, but only 
for a time, mind you, we will return when the 
King’s cause triumphs.” 

“Poor mother,” sighed Alice, “how can she 
endure a long voyage ? For my own part I do not 
mind as long as we are all together, but she is 
so frail and delicate. Father, for her sake, would 
it not be prudent to ask the rebels to let us remain ?” 

“Never! A Brenton ask permission of his 
King’s enemies to remain in his own home! 
No, your mother, herself, would forbid it. Never 
mention such a proposition again, Alice. If 
they drive us forth, we go.” 

The old gentleman became violently excited, 
and Alice deemed it not expedient to press the 

64 


ALICE BRENTON 


matter further. However, on retiring to her own 
room she could think of nothing else. She saw 
matters in a different light from that in which 
Mr. Brenton looked at them. Her mother was 
growing feebler every day and a period of time 
spent on a ship, with all its discomforts, surrounded 
by lamenting refugees, and perhaps in company 
with the fussy and irresponsible Susanna, would 
render her most wretched. She racked her brain 
for some solution of the enigma which presented 
itself to her, namely, how things might be arranged 
so that the Brenton family might not have to 
leave their home and still not humble themselves 
to the rebels. One idea entered her mind, but 
was quickly rejected. Still it persistently intruded 
itself. 

Angry with herself for harboring, if only for an 
instant, anything of that kind she began to busy 
herself, assorting her numerous trinkets and odds 
and ends, so dear to a girlish heart. 

Here were souvenirs of gay parties, rides, and 
picnics, nothing more than bits of ribbon, faded 
flowers, a buckle or something equally as trifling, 
but enough to make the tears flow fast and to tell 


ALICE BRENTON 


her that she stood on the threshold of a new life 
and that the past was as far from her as if death 
itself had set its seal upon it. 

Could Harry Cranston help them ? 

The question recurred again and again: he 
had great influence in the town; he had accom- 
panied General Green’s Rhode Island troops 
to Boston and had only recently returned with 
his company, bearing testimony from General 
Washington of bravery and skill. Some of his 
friends affirmed that he was only awaiting an 
appointment on the staff of the commander-in- 
chief before setting out again for Boston. 

Alice knew that her family would never sanction 
her asking a favor of a patriot, but the state of her 
mother’s health prompted her to dare their dis- 
pleasure. 

How to communicate with Harry was the next 
question. She could not start off again to town 
so soon after arriving home and the servants 
were all busy, besides they were all, except Cuffy, 
arrant cowards, afraid of sailors and patriots 
alike. 

The thought of Cuffy determined her; he, at 

66 


ALICE BRENTON 


least, was trustworthy. Sitting down to her 
table she took writing materials and began to 
compose a note. It was by no means an easy 
task. She made several trials and then wrote: 

^‘Mr. Cranston: We are in sore distress. 
Mother is ill and we are all obliged to leave our 
house by order of the Assembly. It would kill 
mother to make a sea voyage to Nova Scotia, 
I am sure, and I was thinking that the Assembly 
cannot be so cruel as to make an old lady leave 
her home because her husband stands by the 
King. I am ashamed to ask you to help us, but 
you have always been kind to us, so I take the 
liberty to ask you if you could use your influence 
to have the order countermanded so far as it 
concerns the sick and aged. 

Your old friend, 

Alice Brenton.” 

After folding and sealing the note Alice went 
in search of Cuffy. She found the old slave 
busily packing away sundry household articles 
and he shook his head gravely when he learned 
his young lady’s desire. 

“No time for love notes now. Miss Alice, 

67 


ALICE BRENTON 


’sides Marse Harry is a rebel and your pa would 
nebber consent,” said the privileged old negro. 

“It is not a love note, CufFy; it is on the most 
particular business and if you can see Mr. Cranston 
to-day it may do us the greatest good in the world. 
I know my father does not like him now, but he 
used to be one of our best friends and he has it 
in his power to do us a great service now.” 

As Alice saw signs of yielding in CufFy she 
followed up her advantage and went on more 
eloquently, almost telling him the contents of 
the note, and beseeching him not to tell Mr. 
Bren ton, no matter what the outcome might be. 
CufFy never could resist Alice’s pleadings, so after 
many assurances on her part that she would give 
a good account of his absence, if it was discovered, 
he stole off to town, mounted on the cumber- 
some steed which had served for his fellow servant, 
Jim. 

The Cranston family and the Brentons had 
always, until the outbreak of the war, been on 
exceedingly good terms; indeed there was a 
connection by marriage between them, Mr. Bren- 
ton’s first wife having been Harry’s great-aunt. 

68 


ALICE BRENTON 


CufFy knew the ways of the Cranston homestead, 
so he found his way around to the servants’ quar- 
ters, knowing that he could there find out where 
it would be possible to see the young master. 
It was a wise precaution for at that moment there 
were a number of patriotic gentlemen in the parlor 
holding a conference with the elder Mr. Cranston. 
The negro servants all knew Culfy, and in spite 
of war and politics, cherished a little romance 
of their own in which his young lady and their 
young master were the principal figures. Cuffy 
had more sense than to announce that he had a 
note for Master Harry, but by beating about the 
bush found out from Congo that the young man 
was in the stable examining a horse that had 
just come in. Cuffy, accordingly, lost no time 
in approaching him and quietly slipped Alice’s 
note into his hand. 

As Harry read it a troubled and perplexed 
look passed over his fair face, which was not 
unnoticed by the faithful slave. 

“Marse Harry, we am in great trouble down 
dere on de Neck. Ole Missus is porely, an’ we 
all hab to go away from de ole place. Miss 

69 


ALICE BRENTON 


Alice says you hab it in your power to do sum- 
fing for us. Do help us, Marse Harry, for pore 
Miss Alice’s sake.” 

The simple words of the old man touched 
Harry and a soft light crept into his eyes, and he 
said, “Tell Miss Alice I will see some of the 
patriots, and all that I can do I will do for her and 
her parents. You will not forget, Cuffy ?” 

“No, indeed, Marse Harry, no, indeed. I 
can ’member ebery word and de Lord bress you 
for dem.” 

“And Cuffy,” added Harry, “you will stand 
by your young mistress, watch over her and protect 
her 

“’Deed, Marse Harry, I will. I took de bressed 
chile from her dead mother’s arms and I ain’t 
a-going to let her go now when de waters ob 
tribulation are rolling round. Ole Cuffy will 
take care ob Miss Alice as long as his ole life 
holds out.” 

“Thank you, Cuffy, and don’t forget my 
message,” said Harry, with something like tears 
glistening in his eyes. 

A few minutes later Cuffy was on his way 

70 


ALICE BRENTON 


home to gladden his mistress with a message of 
hope, and Harry had started upon a most delicate 
and almost perilous undertaking — that of asking 
the assembled patriots to show clemency to the 
Tory Brenton family. 

“All the world loves a lover,” says the poet, 
and there were many in that assembly who had often 
seen Harry Cranston and Alice Brenton cantering 
side by side along the country roads, and guessed 
the state of his heart, so they were mindful to be 
lenient to the young people. But Jahleel Brenton 
must go. No sentiment, however alluring, could 
make them tolerate such an arch Tory in their 
midst. If Mrs. Brenton’s health was too poor 
to admit of a sea voyage, she might remain, and 
her daughter might stay with her. They would not 
banish helpless women, but men, who were ene- 
mies to the liberties of the people, must go. 

Harry found means to convey the news to 
Hammersmith next day. 

It was received with mingled pleasure and 
rage, pleasure on the part of Alice, rage on the 
part of Jahleel Brenton. Mrs. Brenton was 
too ill to care or even think. 


71 


CHAPTER VI 


The morning set for the departure of the exiles 
for Nova Scotia dawned clear and bright. 

Jahleel Bren ton stood on the deck of the sloop 
as it slowly glided out of the harbor. A stern 
look sat upon his rugged features as he watched 
the town, his native home where he had spent 
so many happy days; his birthplace, the birth- 
place of his children, the place where he had 
disbursed his money with a lavish hand. He 
could see the clock on Trinity Church, pointing 
to the hour of ten, the clock which he himself 
had given to the church, which he loved, and 
whose black disk, set in the white steeple, was 
the last reminder of his days of opulence. The 
companionship of his good son-in-law. Dr. Halli- 
burton, and the affectionate consideration of his 
daughter, Susanna, could not move his thoughts 
from the scenes he was leaving. 

Many other exiles stood on that deck, but none 
left the beautiful seaport town with more regret 

72 


ALICE BRENTON 


than did the stern old man, who said nothing 
but gazed at the retreating land silently and 
defiantly; for he would have given up thrice more 
wealth and ties were it required of him, could he 
even in the remotest manner help the cause of 
George the Third of England. 

Meanwhile Alice had stationed herself at the 
topmost window of the Brenton House on Thames 
Street, where she and her mother, with their 
servants, had taken up their abode with a widowed 
sister of Mrs. Brenton, a Mrs. Almy. 

As the sloop containing her dear ones disap- 
peared her tears flowed fast. She fully realized 
her position. She felt herself the only protector 
left to her aged mother in a town hostile to her 
family, and the burden was all the harder to bear 
when she remembered that the people who ex- 
pressed hostility to her family were at one time 
their friends and in many cases recipients of the 
Brenton bounty. 

It was hoped that by the time another ship 
was ready to sail for Nova Scotia, Mrs. Brenton’s 
health would have improved so much that she 
might be able, with Alice, to undertake the voyage 

73 


ALICE BRENTON 


and so place themselves out of range of hostilities. 
This helped to keep up the spirits of both those 
who departed and those who remained. 

No one had suspected that the message which 
brought the British ships together had been carried 
by Alice Brenton. Had the slightest inkling of her 
act become known, the great patriot, John Han- 
cock himself, could not have saved her from seri- 
ous consequences. 

The ships had sailed in company up the bay 
as far as the town of Bristol. Here the commander 
of the fleet demanded supplies and began to 
cannonade the town. Bristol, at the time, was 
in sore distress, for much sickness was raging in 
the town, and a deputation was sent to beg a 
cessation of hostilities. This was promised if 
a contribution of forty sheep was delivered. If 
not Bristol would be laid in ashes. To this the 
people were obliged to agree and the farmers 
were ordered to bring in their sheep. Added to 
this Captain Wallace of the Rose sent out men 
to plunder the farms along the Bristol and Warren 
shores, and then with a good supply of provisions 
the ships returned to the vicinity of Newport. 

74 


ALICE BRENTON 


The proceedings had given Alice grave cause for 
regret, but her only confidants, her father and 
brother-in-law, looked upon the part she took 
as something highly commendable. Her own 
mind was not at rest, however. 

Newport was becoming poorer each day. Busi- 
ness was suspended. The ships were lying 
idle at the docks and the sailors had stolen away 
to join the privateers. Many more men had gone 
off to enter the Continental army, now recruiting 
in Boston, and whole families, frightened by 
the state of affairs and the position of Newport, 
so open to attacks from the sea, began to move 
to inland towns. Altogether there was trouble 
and excitement enough to keep a girfs nerves 
at strong tension. 

Presently Alice heard her name called and 
hastily drying her eyes she descended the narrow 
stairs to the second story. Here she found Mrs. 
Almy, in a by no means gentle mood, ready to chide 
her for leaving the care of her mother to a silly 
negro girl, while she wasted her time gazing out 
of a window. 

“I was watching the sloop going away with 

75 


ALICE BRENTON 


father and Susanna on board,” Alice ventured 
to say. 

Small good that will do your mother,” snapped 
Mrs. Almy, and then she went off muttering 
something about people not knowing enough 
to keep on the right side in these troublous 
times. Mrs. Almy had always shown a decided 
patriotic leaning, much to the disgust of Jahleel 
Brenton, but her strong good sense and excellent 
capabilities overruled his prejudices and he begged 
her to remain with his wife during her stay in 
Newport. 

Alice went to her mother’s room and there 
forgot much outside trouble in ministering to the 
gentle invalid. 

Days passed; summer ripened into autumn, 
and although Mrs. Brenton was able to leave 
her bed she gained but little strength. Even 
if she had it would have been impossible to get 
away from Newport by sea as the harbor was 
blockaded inside by the British vessels and out- 
side by the Yankee privateers. There seemed 
nothing to do but remain. Mr. Brenton had 
left them a large sum of money for their needs, 

76 


ALICE BRENTON 


but they were obliged to economize closely as 
they knew not when they would be able to get 
more. 

The poor people of the town were beginning 
to suffer, and were it not that the town council 
had negotiated with Captain Wallace for ship 
supplies from the Rose, starvation would have 
soon set in. Harry Cranston had joined General 
Washington at Cambridge and occasional rumors 
reached Newport of the favor he found with the 
new commander-in-chief. Alice had never seen 
him since the day of the party at Malbone. She 
felt that to his efforts her mother owed her life, 
but never once did she dare mention to her the 
part she played in enlisting his sympathies. 

Long and interminable were the days as winter 
came on. An occasional visit to or from the 
Hunter girls varied life somewhat. They felt 
great sympathy for the daughter of Jahleel 
Brenton for they had suffered in like manner, 
their father. Dr. Hunter, having been banished 
also, but afterwards allowed to return on his 
declaring himself a neutral. There were no 
festivities in town. The young Jewesses who 

77 


ALICE BRENTON 


had been the life of the place, had sailed away 
to Jamaica about the time Mr. Bren ton had 
gone to Nova Scotia, and matters looked too 
serious in the eyes of the remaining families to 
allow much jollity. Those who remained in 
town were mostly patriots and Alice found herself 
looked upon coldly by most of the young people, 
except gay Miss Peggy Champlin, who always 
had a pleasant nod and kindly word for every 
one. Living in close proximity to the Brentons 
she often ran in to cheer up the dejected ones, 
as she called Mrs. Brenton and Alice. A short 
cut through the slave quarters brought her to the 
back door where she usually received a hearty 
greeting from Aunt Cassie, who presided over 
the kitchen, and her outspoken devotion to the 
patriots’ cause won her easy access to the domain 
of Mrs. Almy. She was a welcome visitor through 
the long winter and Alice grew to look up to her 
as one to be consulted on all occasions, for had 
not Miss Peggy been at school in Boston arid 
received all the accomplishments necessary to a 
young lady of fashion, besides having seen the 
great outside world 


78 


ALICE BRENTON 


Sixteen months passed and no word from 
Nova Scotia, and no means available to set out 
and join those who had gone there. Life was 
becoming unbearable when one day in darted 
Miss Peggy, a cloak thrown over her head and her 
face flushed with excitement. 

'‘The locusts are upon us, they are in the harbor 
and disembarking this minute,’’ she exclaimed. 

Wondering as to what she meant, the three 
ladies of the Brenton household followed the 
direction in which she pointed and looked from 
the west windows. To their astonishment they 
saw that the harbor was full of ships and the 
ships were disgorging their loads of soldiers. 
Unhappy Newport! 


79 


CHAPTER VII 


“A PLAGUE of locusts, indeed!’’ exclaimed Mrs. 
Almy. “The British have taken possession and 
woe to the poor old town.” 

“How can you say such things, sister?” said 
Mrs. Brenton. “The King has sent his soldiers 
to teach the people submission; in a little while 
the rebellion will be crushed and all will be well 
again. Would that my poor husband were here 
to see the King’s troops landing for our protection.” 

“Great protection they will give us; eat us out of 
house and home more likely, ” snapped Mrs. Almy. 

“I am afraid auntie is right,” Alice ventured 
to say, but her mother became so violently excited 
she dared say no more. 

Peggy pressed Alice’s hand in sympathy. Both 
girls were inclined to Mrs. Almy’s way of thinking. 

The boats from the transports were rapidly 
unloading the Red-coats at the end of Long Wharf, 
and soon the gleaming ranks were formed and 
they stood ready to march. 

8o 


ALICE BRENTON 


“What are we to do with such a crowd of 
soldiers thrown into our midst ?” said Peggy 
softly. 

Just then a wooly head protruded itself in the 
doorway and a pair of black eyes rolled round 
in their sockets. It was CulFy. 

“Miss Alice, de soldiers hab come to town.” 

“We know that already, Cuffy. How many 
of them are there, do you know ?” 

“’Bout a rigiment down dar on de wharf, 
but dey tell me dere am six or seben more rigi- 
ments landing out in Middletown.” 

“Oh, Cuffy, it cannot be so!” exclaimed both 
girls, while Mrs. Almy looked ready to faint. 

“Well I dunno, only dat is what Marse Cham- 
plin’s Sam heerd down on de wharf and he run 
all de way back to tell de folks and I heerd him.” 

“I think it is the best thing that could happen, 
it really makes me feel strong and well again,” 
said Mrs. Brenton. 

“What on earth are we going to do ? We can 
hardly get enough to eat ourselves, and now with 
all these hungry hounds to feed we shall starve,” 
exclaimed Mrs. Almy. 


8l 


ALICE BRENTON 


“Sister, you talk nonsense, and it is treason 
to grudge a living to the King’s troops; besides they 
have undoubtedly brought provisions with them 
and will see to it that more comes,” answered 
Mrs. Brenton. 

“Well I sincerely hope they have a shipload 
out there ready to be unloaded and if it is treason- 
able to think of one’s own stomach there will 
be many traitors in town to-night.” 

“I know one thing, it will be hard for us girls. 
We can scarcely leave the house after to-day 
with all those soldiers around,” said Peggy. 

“It will not last long,” answered Mrs. Brenton, 
“the war will soon be over.” 

“The Lord grant that it may,” said Mrs. 
Almy. 

A sad look settled on Miss Peggy’s otherwise 
laughing face. To her a military occupation 
meant irksome seclusion. 

“No more rides for us on our pacers,” said 
she to Alice. 

“No,” answered Alice. “We will pine away 
for want of fresh air and exercise, and as for the 
horses, they will die cooped up in their stalls.” 

82 


ALICE BRENTON 


‘‘No fear of that, they will soon be taken by 
the red-coated officers for their own use. No 
property is safe in wartime,’’ said Mrs. Almy. 

Both girls uttered exclamations of dismay, 
but Mrs. Brenton said : 

“If they do take them it will only be in case 
of dire necessity. Englishmen do not make war 
on the property of ladies.” 

“Oh, don’t they?” said her sister under her 
breath. 

No one cared to oppose Mrs. Brenton further 
in her estimation of the invaders and they silently 
watched the movements of the boats and the troops. 

The gray December day was drawing to a 
close before they left the window and Peggy, 
with a disheartened little sigh, took up her cloak 
preparatory to stealing home the way she came. 

“Good-bye, dear,” she said as she kissed 
Alice. “No knowing what may happen before 
we meet again.” 

The story Cuffy had told of the landing of a 
larger number of troops at Middletown was only 
too true. The next day four regiments of British 
infantry, one of artillery and a corps of light 

83 


ALICE BRENTON 


horse, besides two Hessian regiments, marched 
into Newport, six thousand men in all. 

As Mrs. Almy had predicted these were quar- 
tered on the people. The houses left vacant by 
the departure of their owners for inland towns 
were rapidly filled, the better ones taken by the 
officers in command as headquarters. 

'‘The Champlins are hiding their silver and other 
valuables in secret places out of the way of the 
soldiers, and I think we had better take our 
plate, and candelabra, and jewelry, and get 
CufiFy to bury them in the cellar,” said Mrs. 
Almy as she sat with Alice and Mrs. Brenton 
before the dining-room fire, while Chloe cleared 
away the breakfast dishes. 

“Abigail Almy, if it were not that you are my 
own sister I would not speak to you again until 
the war is over. Who ever heard of such a thing 
as hiding things from chivalrous Englishmen 
The Champlins may do so if they wish, as they 
are rebels and traitors, and such people judge 
others by themselves. As for me I shall entertain 
the King’s officers off my best plate as befits 
the wife of a loyal gentleman,” answered Mrs. 
84 


ALICE BRENTON 


Brenton, her delicate face flushed with undue 
excitement. 

Just then CufFy in great trepidation entered 
and announced that two English officers had just 
galloped up the drive with an orderly behind 
them and were even now demanding entrance 
at the hall door. “ Go and admit them instantly,” 
said his mistress. 

CufFy’s lips began to tremble. 

‘‘I ain’t afeard for myself, missus, no one 
can hurt a pore ole nigger, but Marse Champlin’s 
Sam tells me de Red-coats take ebery ting dey 
sees in a house and de ladies am not safe. I 
am tinking of my missus an’ dear Miss 
Alice.” 

‘‘I forbid you talking any more to Sam or to 
any one from the Champlin House. I am con- 
tinually told what some one at Champlins’ said 
or what they are doing over there. I want no 
more of it, and, CufFy, you must go immediately 
and open the door. Show the gentlemen into 
the drawing-room and say that your mistress 
will be pleased to see them.” 

CufFy departed and Mrs. Brenton made Alice 

85 


ALICE BRENTON 


see that her cap was set straight and her shawl 
arranged gracefully around her shoulders. Then 
taking the arm of the young girl she proceeded 
to the drawing-room. 

“You are welcome, gentlemen, to the poor 
home of a loyal subject of the King of England,” 
said the old lady. 

The two officers bowed low and the elder of 
them introduced himself as Colonel Knox of the 
First Artillery, and his friend as Lieutenant 
Stanley of the same regiment. The latter looked 
at Alice intently and only recovered himself 
when Mrs. Brenton ceremoniously presented her 
daughter and begged them to be seated. She 
then ordered Cuffy to bring in wine and cakes, 
at the same time apologizing for the meagre 
state of her household, since the war had become 
so ruinous. 

Colonel Knox soon found an opportunity to 
state the object of his visit. The town was very 
much crowded; would it be convenient to have 
him and his young friend. Lieutenant Stanley, 
quartered in her house ^ They would tiy^ to make 
as little trouble as possible, and at the same time 

86 


ALICE BRENTON 


their presence would be a sort of protection for 
the ladies. His words were polite and deferential 
and Mrs. Brenton’s heart swelled with pride, as 
she remembered how only that morning she had 
so warmly extolled the chivalry of Englishmen. 
Alice, however, saw that the officer's words were 
insincere. She knew that he had in his power 
to take by force, if need be, the hospitality which 
he affected to solicit. The younger officer said 
but little and Alice respected him for refraining 
from exhibiting mock humility. 

Mrs. Brenton insisted that the best rooms in 
the house should be placed at the disposal of the 
officers and the privilege accorded to their servants 
of preparing the meals in the kitchen. This last 
concession was loudly lamented by Aunt Cassie 
later on, to say nothing of the disgust expressed 
by Cuffy which was seconded by Mrs. Almy. 

“The officers are perfect gentlemen and the 
least we can do is to make things as comfortable 
as possible for them while their duty calls them 
to a strange land,’’ the old lady said after she had 
explained matters to her sister. 

Mrs. Almy’s disdainful sniff was not noticed 

87 


ALICE BRENTON 


by Mrs. Brenton, but Alice could scarcely refrain 
from smiling at the antagonism of her aunt. 

Colonel Knox lost no time in making himself 
at home. He not only ordered his own two 
servants about, but demanded equal attention 
from the house servants. Lieutenant Stanley, 
on the contrary, was as unobtrusive as possible. 
He passed in and out quietly and gave orders 
to none but to one or the other of the two men 
who waited upon himself and Colonel Knox. 
Whenever he met the ladies his manner was the 
opposite to the coloneFs effusion and they very 
soon began to respect him accordingly — 

‘‘A nice modest young man if he is a Britisher,’’ 
said Mrs. Almy. 

“He is exceedingly well bred, as all English 
gentlemen are supposed to be,” said Mrs. Brenton. 

The Brentons were highly favored in comparison 
with many of the inhabitants of Newport. Per- 
haps their Tory tendencies exempted them from 
annoyances, now that the British held full sway. 
In most houses several soldiers or officers were 
quartered, and in nearly every case the householder 
had to provide the support. Colonel Knox 


ALICE BRENTON 


and Lieutenant Stanley proved an exception as 
they paid their own way. 

In a very few months the aspect of the town 
underwent a sad change. No church was left 
unspoiled except Trinity. Its bell was the only 
one that remained hanging in the steeple. The 
classic Redwood Library was made a common 
lounging-place for the officers and even the men. 
The Court House, that pride of the town, was 
turned into a hospital, and the quiet Quaker 
meeting-house was made a stable, while the broad 
green field in which it stood, and still stands 
to this day, was made a forage field. 

The worst aggressors were the Hessians. Most 
of them had been trained to aggressive warfare 
from early youth, and the quality of mercy was 
sadly wanting in their characters. To them 
the American people were but targets for their 
guns, and a prey to their baser passions. The 
employment of these wretched mercenary troops 
was the worst feature in the policy of England’s 
King in his attempt to coerce the Colonists. 


89 


CHAPTER VIII 


Mrs. Brenton could never believe that the 
presence of British soldiers could make the streets 
unpleasant for a young girl, so she invariably 
insisted that Alice should visit a few of the old 
families, and often take delicacies prepared by 
the skilful hands of Aunt Cassie, to those who 
were sick or destitute. To such a pass had the 
British occupation come that many otherwise 
respectable people were in extreme want. The 
better class of people suflFered more than the very 
low class because the latter did not scruple to 
receive aid from the invader’s stores. 

One afternoon Alice was returning from one of 
these visits when she met two drunken Hessians. 
The streets were deserted and all doors and gates 
securely closed, so there was no means of avoiding 
them in the narrow way. In their broken English 
they accosted her and when she turned to fly 
they intercepted her, demanding a kiss. Alice 
gave a little scream and almost instantly a tall 


90 


ALICE BRENTON 


form, in an undress uniform, came around the 
corner of a cross street and with a lightning- 
like movement felled both Hessians to the ground. 
It was Lieutenant Stanley. ‘‘You should not 
think of going out alone. Miss Brenton. These 
Germans are villainous fellows when drunk 
and they are sure to drink too much when olF 
duty. With your permission I will see you home,’’ 
he said. 

Alice thanked him, only too glad of his escort, 
and on reaching home gave her mother an account 
of the adventure, whereupon Mrs. Brenton in- 
sisted that the young officer should dine with them 
next day. Colonel Knox being absent at the north 
end of the island inspecting a line of breastworks. 

During the course of the dinner Alice frequently 
found the eyes of the young man intently fixed 
upon her and more than once she felt an irresistible 
desire to study his features. After they had 
repaired to the drawing-room the lieutenant said: 

“You must pardon me, Mrs. Brenton, for 
staring at your daughter so persistently, but it is 
not idle curiosity that impels me to do so. I see 
in her the living image of my sister in England.” 


91 


ALICE BRENTON 


Alice started from her chair and approached him. 

‘‘ Is her name Beatrice ?” she asked. 

‘‘Yes, Miss Brenton,” he answered, starting 
to his feet. 

They stood staring at each other. 

“Alice, you forget yourself,” said Mrs. Brenton. 

The girl blushed deeply, but still stood gazing 
at the lieutenant. 

The young man recovered himself and said: 

“Yes, my sister’s name is Beatrice. Perhaps 
I mentioned the fact to you before, for ever since 
I saw you the likeness to her has seemed to grow 
stronger and stronger.” 

“No, Mr. Stanley, you did not mention it to 
me, but — do you know Lieutenant Welland 
of the Rose ?” 

“Charlie Welland, the best fellow in the King’s 
navy! Indeed I do. Have you met him ?” 

“Once at a garden party, more than two years 
ago, he said I resembled a girl in England named 
Beatrice. I have often thought of that girl 
and wished I could see her. He told me that she 
had a brother in America, but I could not recall 
his name.” 


92 


ALICE BRENTON 


“Dear old Welland, he loves my sister and had 
I my way they would have been married before 
he sailed for America, but my brother George, 
who, by the way, is Sir George Stanley of West 
Stanley Hall, Southport, England, looked higher 
than a poor lieutenant for his only sister, so poor 
Charlie had to sail away and dear Beatrice is 
faithfully waiting for him. George will give in 
when he sees how constant each has been and 
all will go well, I hope, when this wretched war 
is over. Would you like to see her miniature 
As he spoke he took from his breast pocket 
a case which he opened and displayed the likeness 
of a young girl. The ladies examined it and Alice 
exclaimed: “Mother, how like she is to my 
miniature. I mean the one I call mine, you know.” 

“My dear child, it is indeed a striking likeness. 
Go quickly and get yours and we will compare 
them,” said the old lady. 

Alice hastened to her room and before she re- 
turned Mrs. Brenton wiped her glasses and said: 

“I feel as if something wonderful was going 
to happen. Sister, reach me my smelling salts, 
if you please.” 


93 


ALICE BRENTON 


Mrs. Almy hastened to do so, and gently 
pressed her sister’s hand and caressed the droop- 
ing form. 

The lieutenant looked puzzled and excited 
as Alice returned with the locket saved from the 
wreck. All four tremblingly compared it with 
the miniature of Beatrice Stanley. 

Suddenly the young man exclaimed, “Where 
did you get this locket and these likenesses ?” 
Then recovering himself he begged pardon for 
his rudeness. Mrs. Brenton waved each to a 
seat and then said: 

“We are all unduly excited to-day. I will an- 
swer your question, Mr. Stanley. That the locket 
was the property of Alice’s mother, I am fully 
persuaded, for Alice is only my daughter by 
adoption. Who her real parents were we have 
never been able to ascertain.” 

“I asked the question, Mrs. Brenton, because 
on the back of the locket are engraved the arms 
and motto of the Stanleys, and I know that there 
was once a locket made in London that bore its 
description. I will tell you the story connected 
with it. My father was an officer in the British 


94 


ALICE BRENTON 


army. His name was Roland Stanley. My 
mother was the only daughter of Baron Edgemoor 
of Westmoreland. They had four children: my 
brother George, who has since succeeded to the 
title and estates of our father’s elder brother; 
myself, who entered the army; my sister Beatrice, 
and a younger sister whom we lost. Some- 
where about seventeen years ago my father’s 
regiment was ordered to America. I was at that 
time seven years old and I remember everything 
perfectly. My brother was ten, and Beatrice 
was four. As I said before we had a baby sister, 
who bore my mother’s name, Alice. My mother 
loved my father passionately, and when he sailed 
to join his regiment she insisted upon going too. 
Her parents, the Baron and Baroness Edgemoor, 
insisted upon her leaving the three elder children 
in England, saying that it would interfere with 
our education too much to take us to a new 
country. My mother consented, but took with 
her our younger sister. Before their marriage 
my father had a locket made in London, engraved 
with the Stanley arms, in which was set a lock 
of his hair and one of my mother’s. I often saw 

95 


ALICE BRENTON 


it as it hung on her neck in after years, when she 
used to let me spell out the names Roland and 
Alice. Before sailing for America, my parents 
had each a portrait painted by a celebrated 
artist and at my mother’s request a miniature 
was copied from each and inserted in the locket 
directly over the hair. I presume they took it 
to America with them as it was never found 
among their treasures. I never saw my parents 
or little sister again. The ship was lost and all 
on board. Not the slightest tidings were ever 
heard of her. She was bound for South Caro- 
lina, but not a spar was found on that coast. We 
children grew up with our grandparents. Six 
years ago George fell heir to my uncle’s title 
and vast estates in Southport, and I entered the 
army. On the death of Baron and Baroness 
Edgemoor, Beatrice went to live with George and 
his wife. 

“Now this locket seems to be the counterpart 
of the one I speak of, and these two likenesses 
I feel certain are those of my parents. Will you 
allow me to insert the point of this knife between 
the ivory and the rim of the locket ? Thank you.” 

96 



“Will you allow me to insert the point of this knife between 
the ivory and the rim of the locket ? ” 


I 




t 


4 














’ i 

i 




•* 


4 


t - - 


4 


I 

4 



I 




t 


4 


4 


I 









i 


u 




/ 


» 


» 




f 


I 




M 


m 


i 



I 

' ■ 


« 



ALICE BRENTON 


All exclaimed at once and Alice turned deadly 
pale, for under each little plate of ivory there 
was a lock of hair, one golden, the other brown. 

Mrs. Brenton made several efforts to speak. 
At last she succeeded and in a faint voice began : 

‘'God’s hand is surely helping us this day, 
Mr. Stanley. Seventeen years ago a ship was 
wrecked out there on Brenton’s Reef. There 
was a fearful storm and not a soul was saved 
alive, but one little child. My husband and I 
took her and cherished her, and our own children, 
and we had many, loved her as one of themselves. 
We never found the slightest clue to her parentage, 
but we saved her little garments, all marked with 
an S, and we took that locket from the neck of a 
beautiful dead woman, whose lifeless arms were 
tightly clasped around the little child. The child 
grew to womanhood, she is my solace in my old 
age, there she stands, my dearest daughter, 
whom we called Alice Brenton. I firmly believe 
she is your sister.’’ 

As the frail old lady spoke the last words she 
swayed back and forth and they were scarcely 
finished before she fell in a dead faint in Mrs. 


97 


ALICE BRENTON 


Almy’s arms. Scarcely a word was spoken 
as restoratives were applied to Mrs. Brenton 
and she was carried to her room, but Alfred 
Stanley clasped his sister’s hand for one moment 
in his and then sought the seclusion of his own 
apartments. 

When Mrs. Brenton recovered strength enough 
to talk, she called for Alice. 

‘‘Here I am, mother,” answered the girl. 

“Will you always call me mother, Alice, as 
long as I live ? It will not be long, but while 
there is breath in this poor body I cannot give 
up my little girl, the child of my old age.” 

“You have been, and always will be my own 
dearest mother. Having found a brother will 
never change our relationship. You adopted 
me and I am Alice Brenton still. But, mother, 
I cannot help loving this new-found brother of 
mine.” 

“Love him, my darling, I would not have you 
do otherwise, but this feeble old woman loves you 
with a jealous love and you must never leave her 
while she lives.” 

“No, mother, I never will. As I said, I am 

98 


ALICE BRENTON 


Alice Brenton still. My own parents are dead, 
and I owe my life to you and Father Brenton. 
I would like to see my other brother and sister, 
but I can wait. My duty is to you and nothing 
can take me from you.” 

As Alice spoke she bent over and kissed the 
old lady who held her in a long embrace. 

“Stay with me until I sleep,” Mrs. Brenton 
said. 

Alice sat down by the bed, still holding her 
mother’s hand. Soon deep, peaceful breathing 
told that the tired, frail woman was asleep, then 
the girl softly unclasped the slender fingers and 
stole down stairs. 

“I must tell Peggy,” she said to herself as she 
threw a light shawl around her. She slipped out 
the back door as the sun was getting low in the west 
and quickly ran through the negro quarters in 
the rear and then up the hill to the Champlin 
House. 

On one side of this house, almost concealed 
by vines, was a plain board door. It seemed to 
have neither lock, bolt, nor knob, but Alice knew 
just where to press an apparently simple-looking 


99 


ALICE BRENTON 


knot in the wood, and a bolt on the inside was 
heard to shoot back, and the door opened directly 
at the foot of a flight of stairs. This was a private 
entrance made by Mr. Champlin for his own use, 
but one day Peggy, when a little girl, detected 
him entering that way and he showed her how 
it worked, first binding her to secrecy. 

When the British occuption began she thought it 
a capital egress to use on her visits to Alice and 
after some little time she broke her promise to her 
father so much as to let her friend into the secret. 

Ascending the stairs she touched another spring 
and a panel shot back, enabling her to pass into 
an unused room of the house. From here she 
quickly made her way to Peggy^s apartment. 

Some English officers occupied the lower floor 
much to the disgust and annoyance of the family, 
and it was mostly to avoid them that the girls 
used the secret entrance. 

It was not long before Alice had told Peggy all 
about the newly found brother. 

wish he was not an Englishman, at least 
I wish he was not in the army. I hate British 
officers,” said Peggy. 


100 


ALICE BRENTON 


‘‘ Oh, Peggy, how can you say so ? Some of them 
are perfect gentlemen.” 

“Some of them may be; perhaps this brother 
of yours is, but most of them are brutes. Think 
of that wretch of a Prescott, going about our 
streets, knocking men’s hats off with his cane 
and actually making the householders dig up their 
door-stones and take them to him in wheel- 
barrows to make a walk for him along by his 
headquarters in the Banister House. But I have 
something good to tell you. You must never 
divulge a word of it to those Tory friends of 
yours for only patriots know it as yet. However, 
it will soon become town property and it is too 
good for me to keep longer. Listen, General 
Prescott is taken! A party of our men captured 
him in his bed, at the Overton House in Ports- 
mouth, and carried him off right under the noses 
of the Red-coats, and beneath the bows of the 
ships at anchor up the bay. It was a daring act 
and none but Rhode Islanders could do it. The 
patriots will win, no fear of it, when we have 
such brave fellows among us. Father is wild 
with joy. I am glad he is too old to go to war. 


lOI 


ALICE BRENTON 


If he were not he would be off in the thick of it 
and then what would I do here alone; he does good 
work here in town, however,— but I won’t tell 
you any more, you dear little Tory. I suppose 
you will be a greater one than ever now that you 
have a British brother.” 

‘‘I never was much of a Tory, Peggy. I have 
never been quite sure but what the patriots were 
in the right, but my lot has been thrown among 
the Tories and I cannot quarrel with my friends. 
I wish there had never been a war and every- 
thing was quiet and peaceful.” 

“Well I am glad of the war if it will only lead 
to independence. Oh, if I could only do some- 
thing for my country, just one brave act. I am 
actually dying for a chance. How do you feel 
about it, Alice ? Would you not like to distinguish 
yourself 

“I do not know, Peggy, women are not very 
brave, but I hope I should never be a coward; 
my real father was an officer and an officer’s 
daughter should be brave in time of need.” 

As the shadows were falling fast Alice thought 
it best to go before the night prowlers began to 


102 


ALICE BRENTON 


start out on their nightly depredations, for owing 
to these wretched creatures, the streets and even 
private grounds were very unsafe. Peggy saw 
her safe out of the private door and it was only 
the matter of a few minutes before she was safe 
in her own room at home. 

That evening she had a long talk with her 
brother and she showed him the handkerchief 
which they found tied around her neck after the 
wreck, with the Stanley arms embroidered on it, 
by their mother’s own hand, Alfred Stanley said. 
They agreed that next day they would ride over 
to the Neck and visit the lonely grave by the sea. 

That ride awoke in her mind many recollections 
of her childhood and early youth. Over that road 
she had often cantered with Harry Cranston. 
She would never forget the last time she rode 
with him; the letter which caused her burning 
shame resting on her heart. Then how often 
Harry had gone with her to the grave and helped 
her gather flowers to strew there. Where was 
he now Away fighting for the liberties of the 
Colonies, and she, by force of circumstances, 
was on the other side. 


103 


ALICE BRENTON 


Long after she remembered that, on their way 
home from the Neck, they passed a wretched 
specimen of humanity, who eyed her and the 
lieutenant with a sinister expression. He was a 
man of the name of Dolby, one of those un- 
fortunates, who, having served a term of bondage 
in a distant Colony, had come to Rhode Island 
to get a living, where he supposed he would have 
free license. Finding himself mistaken and hav- 
ing suffered the penalty of his misdeeds, more than 
once in the pillory and the stocks, he eked out a 
living by spying and carrying messages of doubtful 
character from one intriguer to another. Since 
the occupation by the British he acted as a spy 
for whichever side paid him best, and he was 
even said to be in league with a woman of vile 
reputation, whose business was the only one that 
flourished in the town. 


T04 


CHAPTER IX 


When Harry Cranston left Newport he went 
straight to Cambridge and there offered himself 
as a recruit to General Washington. He took 
with him letters of introduction from Ezek Hopkins, 
Abraham Whipple, and Mr. Champlin, which 
ga ’ned him a place as captain of a new company 
just formed in a Massachusetts regiment. 

After the landing of the British in Rhode Island, 
Washington and his generals sought to form plans, 
to dislodge them. Many attempts were made 
but lack of boats and protracted storms had a 
most disheartening effect on the Americans. 

Harry was sent with his regiment to join the 
forces under General Sullivan, encamped at Tiver- 
ton. His company had enlisted for fifteen months. 
At the end of that time the men expressed a will- 
ingness to re-enlist, but many changes were made 
among the officers. Sullivan saw the advisability 
of having about his own person officers well 
acquainted with the localities around Narragansett 

105 


ALICE BRENTON 


Bay, so Harry was appointed a staff officer with 
the rank of colonel. In this capacity he aided 
his general effectively in planning ambushes, and 
locating the exact positions of the enemy’s fortifica- 
tions, and preventing many of the assaults and 
outrages on defenseless homes. The islands of 
the bay suffered terribly from the depredations 
of the British and many a hard-fought skirmish 
took place between them and detachments of 
Americans under the direction of young Colonel 
Cranston. Many of the men under him were 
recruited from the immediate neighborhood and 
the sight of burning houses and pillaged barns 
drove them almost mad with rage. No enterprise 
by land or water was too perilous to discourage 
volunteers from venturing into it. 

So strong seemed the position of the British 
forces in Rhode Island that the whole eastern 
section of the country was constantly in a state 
of alarm. Bristol and Warren had been attacked 
and many buildings and boats destroyed. If 
the enemy could only be weakened in some point 
as an entering wedge, an attack, sudden and 
desperate, might force a retreat. 

io6 


ALICE BRENTON 


Newport was the stronghold of the King’s 
troops. Now and then news came through the 
lines, carried by intrepid messengers, of the 
state of the devoted town. General Sullivan 
knew that many a true patriotic heart was beating 
beyond the British line of earthworks and one day 
he called Colonel Cranston to him and said: 

“Cranston, you are a Newport man, I suppose 
you know most of the points of access to the town.” 

“ Every one of them. General,” answered 
Harry. 

“ Could you get into Newport ?” 

“Yes, and out again.” 

“Then I wish you would. I want to find out 
how many patriots we can count on, and how 
many of the enemy’s troops are quartered there, 
how the inhabitants are olF for provisions, and 
how they are supplied, and last of all, I want plans 
of as many of the new fortifications as you can 
get. It is a perilous undertaking and one in 
which I dislike to imperil the life of a gallant 
officer, but if we are to drive the enemy from 
Rhode Island dangers must be met.” 

“I go willingly. General.” 

107 


ALICE BRENTON 


“When can you start 

“Now.” 

“Have you fixed in your mind how you are to 
go ? What route shall you take ?” 

“I shall take the road down through Little 
Compton and cross in a boat. It is dangerous, I 
admit, in two ways; there is a heavy sea running 
through the entrance to the East Passage and I 
might meet one of the enemy’s vessels; but dangers 
must be incurred, and there are many chances 
of success. I can man a boat in almost any 
sea, however rough; the enemy may be napping, 
and if I once land on the cliffs below Easton’s 
Beach I can reach the town in safety. I am a New- 
port boy and I know every one of her fields and 
by-ways, besides I know just which houses would 
shelter and hide me if need be.” 

“Then I think I have hit on the right man 
for the expedition, but I would gladly^ keep you 
from endangering your life were it not that the 
Colonies are in great extremity and brave men 
are scarce. How many men do you need to take 
with you ?” 

“Not more than two, and I wish they might 
io8 


ALICE BRENTON 


be Rhode Island boys, used to the sea, and cool- 
headed.” 

“You shall have them if they are to be found, 
but our greatest need is men who have been 
accustomed to a sea life. All the sailors have 
gone off to join the new navy, and, in fact, most 
of the natives of sea-coast towns are on the ocean 
on privateers or with Hopkins and Whipple.” 

‘‘Yes I know, at the first call for men to man 
the ships the Newport boys rushed almost in 
a body to answer. I wonder I did not go myself, 
but I had served in the Newport Artillery as an 
officer and I knew more about land tactics; but 
to business. General, there are two fellows from 
Portsmouth in Captain Tripp’s company, fine 
young men. They are brothers and their name 
is Chase. I know them well and have known 
them for years, ever since they were boys,” said 
Harry, and the general lost no time in having 
them called before him. The idea of going with 
Harry Cranston on a daring expedition right 
into the jaws of the enemy, filled them with 
enthusiasm and no time was lost in preparation. 

Three horses were saddled and a scanty supply 


ALICE BRENTON 


of rations placed in the saddle-bags. As no time 
should be lost they started out that afternoon. 
No despatches or credentials were taken as Harry 
was known to every patriot shut up in Newport 
town, and they could trust him with their lives 
and the future of the Colonies. 

It was easy traveling through Tiverton for it 
was the stronghold of the American army. Here 
were about sixteen hundred men of Rhode Island 
together with regiments lately arrived from Massa- 
chusetts, Connecticut, and New Hampshire, but 
towards night as they turned into the Little 
Compton road they had to move with caution 
as foraging parties frequently crossed the Sakonnet 
River on their nefarious errands. Several times 
they heard the splash of oars and once the click 
of arms sounded near them, but they met no one. 
Perhaps those whom they heard exercised caution 
as the sound of horses fell upon their ears. 

In the middle of the channel, nearly opposite 
Church’s Point lay two British frigates. Possibly 
the marauders had come from them. Farther 
on stood the house of Abram Brownell. The 
Chase brothers vouched for him as an ardent 


IJO 


ALICE BRENTON 


patriot, who more than once had driven Hessians 
from his place. Their suggestion was that they 
should halt at his place and leave their horses. 
Perhaps he could assist them in securing a boat 
for all the Little Compton men kept boats, the 
only possibility of their not finding one being that 
the British might have confiscated all those they 
could find for their own use. 

James and Albert Chase cast many a longing 
look across the dusky waters which separated 
them from the island of Rhode Island on which 
stood their home. They were Quaker lads, 
who dared the displeasure of their parents, and 
had enlisted in the army against all rules and 
doctrines of their meeting. In the army they had 
thrown off, with the Quaker garb, the ‘‘thee’’ and 
“ thou,” which marked the speech of their sect, but 
now as they rode on side by side with home 
memories forced upon them, they fell back into the 
habit of their people. It sounded odd to Harry 
Cranston to hear the language of peace spoken 
so glibly by these armed men going on a perilous 
errand, but no regret for the step they had taken 
was in the tone of their voices. 


Ill 


ALICE BRENTON 


“Does thee think the old folks are safe?’* said 
James softly. 

“I hope so, our people are peaceful and do not 
fight, no one would harm them,” answered his 
brother. 

“Ah, but thee knows how the British take every- 
thing they can lay hands on. I fear they may 
have taken the provisions and the fodder; it would 
be a grievous loss.” 

“Indeed it would; but thee must not think of 
that to-night. Our brothers, Simeon and George, 
are with them and they are wise and prudent 
men. They may have devised more ways than 
one of providing for the father and mother.” 

“May God grant that they have,” piously 
answered James. 

As he ceased speaking a house loomed up in 
the darkness ahead of them, and Albert said, 
“That is Friend Brownell’s.” 

As they approached, confused noises sounded 
from within, and now and then a scream added 
to the clash of arms was heard. 

“The house has been attacked! Steady, boys: 
we may be in time to help Brownell,” said Harry. 


112 


ALICE BRENTON 


They dismounted and led their horses toward 
the house, looking for some post or stump to 
which they might be tethered. At last they 
found the trunk of a dismantled tree, one of the 
few left standing after such scarcity of firewood 
as had been experienced, and having hitched 
the horses hastily, they stole softly to a window. 

The sight they saw stirred their blood to fever 
heat. A party of Hessians were undoubtedly 
in possession. Brownell’s son, a lad of fourteen, 
lay on the floor securely bound, his eyes starting 
from their sockets in terror. Two women, the 
wife and daughter of the farmer, with hands 
tied behind their backs, were kneeling in supplica- 
tion before the inexorable fiends, who were in 
the act of hanging Brownell to a huge hook that 
was fastened in one of the rafters of the kitchen. 

Instantly the window was smashed in and 
bang went Harry Cranston’s pistol. Crack, crack, 
went the muskets of the two Chase boys. Three 
of the ruffians fell, the third turned to flee, but 
Harry caught him in the doorway and hurled him 
across the room, where he lay stunned. It was 
only the work of a few seconds to cut down 


ALICE BRENTON 


Brownell and unbind the others. The wife and 
daughter rushed for water and other helps for 
the half-strangled man and the Chases carried 
him to the bed in an inner room. 

Harry thought he saw a movement on the part 
of one of the wounded Hessians, but before he 
could quite detect its import the fellow had raised 
himself on one elbow and aimed a pistol at 
the young man’s head. Fortunately for Harry 
he saw the whole thing in time for he had barely 
a chance to dodge the bullet before it went whizzing 
past his head and buried itself in the woodwork 
of the wall. The fellow immediately sank back 
exhausted and Harry, calling the Chase boys, 
bade them bind him and the other three securely. 

The next thing was to decide what to do with 
these four Hessians. It would never do to let 
them go back to their camp on the island. They 
must be given up as prisoners to the Americans 
and that very soon. In their wounded condition 
it was evident that they could not walk, so some 
way must be improvised to convey them. 

Harry knew it would be a bitter disappointment 
to the two Chase brothers if they were debarred 


ALICE BRENTON 


from accompanying him into Newport, and he 
had counted materially on their aid in rowing 
across the wide expanse of waters between Sakon- 
net and the Newport cliffs. He thought the matter 
over carefully, but no way seemed feasible, other 
than to send them back with the prisoners to the 
American lines. Mrs. Brownell offered them, 
in gratitude for their timely rescue, the use of the 
only horse left in their barn. This with the three 
that had borne them from Tiverton would help 
them greatly. James and Albert Chase looked 
dejected enough at the turn events had taken, 
but being good soldiers, as well as having had 
good home training, they quietly submitted to the 
inevitable. The three wounded Hessians were 
securely tied, each on a horse, and given in charge 
of James who led them carefully. The other 
Hessian, being strong and sturdy, was led by 
Albert, who mounted the horse loaned by Mrs. 
Brownell. At the last moment the Brownell 
boy begged to go too, and Harry, thinking he 
might be of use, consented. With boy-like assur- 
ance he elected himself a sort of bodyguard, 
now helping James lead the three horses on which 

1^5 


ALICE BRENTON 


were strapped the wounded Hessians and then 
marching beside the other one, critically examining 
the cords which bound his arms to see that not 
a knot was loosening, and looking to the strength 
of the rope by which Albert led him. A little 
shrewdness was mingled with his officiousness 
for he asked Harry, before setting out, if he might 
be permitted to take his own horse back with him 
on his return. To this the young colonel assented 
and gave him his instructions, notwithstanding 
that he had hoped one more horse would be 
added to the cavalry troop. 

As they disappeared in the darkness Harry 
turned again to the house to see what he could 
do for the inmates before taking his departure. 
The two women had succeeded in not only re- 
suscitating the husband and father, but had 
restored him to consciousness. Mrs. Brownell 
seemed to be a woman, capable in all emergencies, 
and fully alive to the inestimable service which 
Harry and his men had rendered to her. To his 
inquiry as to whether she feared to be left alone 
with her daughter and her disabled husband, 
she answered that she was an American woman 


ii6 


ALICE BRENTON 


and a Rhode Islander at that, and she was ready 
to take her chances. 

Knowing that the Hessians must have ap- 
proached the Little Compton shore in a boat, 
Harry thought that if he could find that boat 
it would be just the thing to take him to Newport. 
Confiding his surmises to Mrs. Brownell she told 
him that just before the house was attacked she 
had heard the splash of oars and a boat’s keel 
grate on the sand on the shore below the house. 
She spoke of it at the time to her husband and 
children, but they had laughed at her and a few 
minutes later the Hessians knocked at the door, 
demanding admittance. 

Following her direction Harry hurried to the 
shore. It did not take him long to discover the 
boat. It was a good one and contained two 
pair of oars. It was but the work of a few minutes 
to push her out into deep water and getting in he 
rowed swiftly along in the shadow of the shore 
towards the south. Every now and then he 
paused to listen, but not a sound greeted his ear, 
except the lapping of the waves against the gunwale 
of the boat. He knew the night must be far spent 

I17 


ALICE BRENTON 


and he desired to reach the shadows of the New- 
port cliffs before dawn. It was a good eight- 
mile stretch, but Harry was an expert oarsman, 
and excitement gave him strength. Once again 
he paused to eat an army biscuit, not that he 
felt hungry, but to guard against any weakness 
that would make him lag. A belated moon now 
rose over the waters shedding a welcome light. 
He could see Sachuest Point clearly and he thought 
the white line beyond must be the breakers on 
Easton^s Beach. Strong, steady pulls he gave 
to the oars. He was now in the open ocean and 
he changed his course to the west. A thrill 
of delight ran through him, for he came of sailor 
blood, and the sea was to him a friend. His 
two brothers were with Ezek Hopkins as officers 
in the American navy, and to-night he seemed 
one with them. As he rowed on, the long, low 
cliffs became discernible in the moonlight. Every 
stroke of the oar brought him nearer. He thought 
of the town he loved, nestled behind the hill, 
a prey to a rapacious enemy, and he thought of a 
dark-eyed girl. Was she still in that town, or 
had she found means of quitting it before the 
ii8 


ALICE BRENTON 


aliens had arrived ? He never had been able to 
find out. Would he learn her fate ? Would 
that this wretched war was over and the Colonies 
free and independent. Then he would ask 
Alice Brenton to be his wife were she in Rhode 
Island or in distant Nova Scotia. Tenderly he 
thought of her, first as the little girl who always 
made him go into the most inaccessible places 
for wild flowers, then as the coquettish maiden, 
always coy, but oh, so sweet. How beautifully 
she could ride, and how fearless she was in a boat, 
dear, beautiful, dauntless Alice. 

His hands were becoming blistered, and the 
sea ran heavily as the cliffs loomed up near him. 
He knew of a little beach, sheltered on either 
side by huge rocks of pudding-stone. By the help 
of the moonlight he hoped to find it. This was 
one of the few landing-places along that rocky 
coast. The utmost caution was necessary in 
order to avoid being dashed to pieces on the rocks. 
Many times he strained his eyes trying to locate 
the exact spot. At last the moonbeams shining 
on the white pebbles attracted his attention and 
he knew the place was found. Carefully he guided 


ALICE BRENTON 


his boat until her keel struck the sandy bar. 
Then he dragged it into the shelter of an over- 
hanging rock above the tide-water mark. There 
was little fear of detection here for it was too 
rough a coast for an inexperienced boat’s crew 
to find a landing and there was little inducement 
for foraging parties as the land in this section 
of the island was but sparsely cultivated. 

Climbing up the rocks to the summit of the 
cliff, Harry looked about him. A pink streak 
in the east gave warning that it would soon be 
day. The light of the moon was beginning to 
wane. The air was chilly, although it was June, 
and Harry wrapped his military cloak closer 
around him. For a few minutes he stood con- 
sidering what course he should take. By keeping 
to the northwest across the fields he knew he would 
come in sight of the town. Before venturing 
within its limits he decided to call at the house 
of Jabez Fenner, an old man known as a staunch 
patriot. It might be venturing into the lion’s 
den for who could tell but what the house was 
occupied by the enemy. He proceeded to re- 
connoiter. The barn and out-buildings were 


120 


ALICE BRENTON 


in good condition and the house stood staunch 
and strong, but not a tree remained of its once 
flourishing orchard, neither was there a fence or 
a stump left anywhere, to such straits had the 
people been reduced for firewood. It was too 
early for any one to be about so Harry sat down 
on a large stone directly under a window to rest 
and listen. Soon a slight noise was heard inside, 
then the door at the back of the house opened 
and by craning his neck a little he saw that it 
was Mr. Fenner. The old man walked feebly 
towards the barn, unlocked it and entered. Harry 
followed him and nearly startled the life out of 
him as his shadow fell across the threshold. 

‘‘Harry Cranston, how dare you return and 
venture into the camp of the Philistines 

“To see old friends and make new ones if need 
be.’’ 

“It is dangerous. Come away from that door. 
I have five Britishers quartered on me eating and 
drinking me out of everything I own, besides abus- 
ing me. I had seven of ’em, but two were called 
away, thank the Lord,” said Mr. Fenner. 

Harry lowered his voice to a whisper as he said, 


121 


ALICE BRENTON 


“Can you tell me if many of the older patriots 
are left in town 

“A good many on ’em. The young fellows 
are off with Sullivan and Greene and Whipple 
and Hopkins, but the old men remain and little 
good we poor old fellows do, ’cept feed them 
tarnal Britishers and them limbs o’ Satan, the 
Hessians.” 

“Is Mr. Champlin at home ?” 

“Yes, he be, and helps support a party of Red- 
coats at his house, but he is a sly fox. The Colony 
has a good friend in Mr. Champlin.” 

“I am going to see him.” 

“Better not, you’ll git caught.” 

“I’ll risk it.” 

“How are you going to git into town.?” 
“Walk.” 

The old man laughed bitterly: “It can’t 
be done,” he said, “putty soon you’ll hear the 
drum tapping, and then every one of them darna- 
tion soldiers will be moving.” 

“ But I must get there.” 

“Well, if you must, you must. I’ve got to take 
a load of fodder up to town, this morning; you can 


122 


ALICE BRENTON 


hide in the team and Til git you past the sentries, 
ril drop you near Mr. Champlin’s door and you’ll 
then have to shift for yourself.” 

“Thank you, Mr. Fenner, I knew I could 
count on you. When do you start ?” 

“Now,” answered Mr. Fenner. 

“What about your unwelcome lodgers, — who 
gets their breakfast? You do not leave your 
wife alone with them ?” 

“My poor wife has been at rest these eight 
months past. I miss her badly, the Lord knows, 
but I am glad she is out of this trouble and sorrow. 
Them good-for-nothing rascals in there git their 
own victuals ready. I provide the stuff, they 
cook it and eat it.” 

Harry helped the old man fill the cart with a 
coarse fodder, which he had laboriously collected 
in the scrubby fields near the cliffs, by the order 
of the British commissary, and then he crawled 
under it leaving himself but scanty breathing 
room. The old man chirruped to his poor old 
raw-boned horse and they started for town just 
as the reveille sounded from camps and head- 
quarters all over the island. 


123 


ALICE BRENTON 


As Mr. Fenner promised he dropped Harry 
not far from the Champlin House, which he 
stealthily approached. It was yet early morning 
and few people were to be seen. He knew not 
whether Mr. Champlin’s Red-coats were still 
in the house or had gone off at the sound of the 
reveille, and therefore was undecided what to do. 
He could not stay in the street for fear of attracting 
attention. There was little to fear from one of 
the townspeople, he knew, but he felt it best that 
his presence should not be known any more 
than it was necessary. As he walked on musing, 
he found himself at the gateway leading to the 
Champlin stables. He slipped in hoping to meet 
one of the negroes, all of whom he knew were 
loyal to their master’s principles, but he was 
more fortunate; instead of one of the slaves he 
met Miss Peggy. 

The girl took in the whole situation at a glance. 

‘‘Harry Cranston, you are a daring fellow,” 
she said as she pushed him inside the stable 
door. “Get into that old chaise and w^it until 
I or my father comes for you. It will not be long.” 

Harry did as he was told and away darted 


124 


ALICE BRENTON 


Peggy. A very few minutes passed and he heard 
a step on the stable floor, and the broad, honest 
face of Christopher Champlin, his dead father’s 
dearest friend, peered into the chaise. 

“By Gad, I hardly believed my girl when she 
told me you were out here. Come, there is no 
time to be lost. My locusts, as Peggy calls them, 
are still sleeping the sleep of the innocent and 
there is no fear of them, but it is just as well that 
the servants should not know too much so we 
will enter the house privately.” 

He led the way to the secret door by which 
they entered. 

“No one knows anything about this door and 
staircase but myself and Peggy. I had the 
secret all to myself at one time, for the carpenter 
who devised it died. Bye and bye I told Peggy, 
but she is as true as steel and has kept it to herself.” 
They ascended to the room above, into which 
Mr. Champlin moved two chairs and a table. 

“Now take things easy for a few minutes and 
I will send Peggy with something to eat, for I 
don’t believe you have breakfasted this morning. 
After that I will hear what you have to say.” 

125 


CHAPTER X 


Miss Peggy soon appeared with a tray, which, 
considering the state of the times, held food 
which was wholesome and appetizing. Deftly 
she spread a clean cloth on the table and arranged 
the dishes, talking as she worked. 

“Here are some of Aunt Hepsy’s johnny 
cakes, the best in Rhode Island. Friend Brayton 
brought in the meal under a load of hay he was 
ordered to supply to the enemy. Ah, those dear 
old Quakers, they won’t fight, but they are as 
good as a host when it comes to stratagem. Then 
this butter; we made it ourselves. You ask where 
we get the milk. We are not supposed to have 
any, and our locusts, I mean the English officers, 
think there is none to be had in town, but Sam 
gets it, you can never guess how. He steals 
out before daylight in the morning and milks 
Colonel Wanton’s cow. The colonel thinks no 
one in town knows he keeps a cow. The poor 
animal is hidden behind a high stone wall that 

126 


ALICE BRENTON 


surrounds his garden, and Sam has found a way 
to climb over and milk her. He only milks 
about two quarts because he dares not take all, 
as the colonel might suspect. As it is, he was 
telling his negroes to feed her better as her milk 
was running short. Sam hears everything that 
goes on, you see. We are very economical and 
save enough cream to make a pat of butter now 
and then for father and an occasional guest 
of our own way of thinking. I do not think it 
wrong to take from an old Tory like Colonel 
Wanton, do you 

Harry fully agreed with her and Peggy went on, 

‘‘The bacon is stolen fruit also. The officers 
down stairs had it brought to them by a foraging 
party, who secured it over on Conanicut Island. 
It is good, patriotic American bacon and I have 
no scruples about helping myself to a slice now 
and then. The beer comes from our own cellar. 
There is still a good supply and I hope the war 
will be over before the last of it runs out.'' 

Harry complimented the repast and did justice 
to it as only a hungry man can. He found time, 
however, to ask for old friends and neighbors. 

127 


ALICE BRENTON 


Peggy told how Mrs. Brenton and Alice had 
been obliged to remain in Newport in spite of their 
desire to get away, and she glowingly described 
Alice’s devotion to her adopted mother. Just as 
she had wound up to a climax, and was ready to 
pour into the attentive ears of theyoung man the story 
of the new-found brother, Mr. Champlin walked in. 

‘‘You had better leave us now, Peggy,” he said. 
“It will be necessary for some one to keep a look 
out, and remember, no one but you and I are to 
know that Mr. Cranston is present in the house.” 

Peggy was obliged to go and then the two 
men talked earnestly, in a low tone, of the neces- 
sities of the hour. Mr. Champlin drew out on 
paper a rough sketch of the fortifications that had 
been recently thrown up and Harry made a note 
of the various items of information given to him. 
The conversation lasted nearly two hours and then 
the host said: “You must be dead tired after 
your journey and exertions. A little sleep will 
do you good. I will find Peggy and see what can 
be done for you.” He left the room, carefully 
locking it behind him, and soon returned dragging 
a huge feather bed. 


128 


ALICE BRENTON 


“Peggy says you are safest in here and as you 
must not lie on the bare floor this is the next 
best thing to be done/’ 

Behind him came Peggy with a pillow and bed- 
coverings and it was not long before a comfortable 
bed, if not a dainty-looking one was improvised. 

“Now happy dreams, my boy. This room 
is not known to exist except to myself, my daugh- 
ter, and my older servants. It leads off a passage- 
way that is only accessible by means of a panel 
in the wall of my daughter’s room. How it 
communicates with the outside world you know. 
I will show you how the spring works in the 
panel leading to the staircase, and the door at 
the foot of the stairs is secured by a bolt. I 
would add that the servants who know about this 
room know nothing of the existence of the stair- 
case.” 

Peggy bustled about and collected the remains 
of Harry’s breakfast after the manner of a careful 
housewife and then father and daughter left 
him to repose. 

The long ride, the fight, and the exhaustive 
rowing across the water had tired Harry more 


129 


ALICE BRENTON 


than he at first realized, and it was not many 
minutes after he had sunk into the depths of the 
luxurious feather bed, before he was fast asleep. 

The afternoon was far spent when he awoke 
and found his host in the room. At first Harry 
looked startled. 

“There is nothing amiss, my boy. I only 
came in to see if you were awake. You must 
have some refreshment and I suppose, when 
night falls, you will want to start on your way 
back to the American camp, but how you are 
to get out of this British-infested town I am sure 
I cannot tell.” 

“Fll get out the way I got in. If I can manage 
to escape the sentries, I will hurry to the cliffs, 
secure my boat, and my men will meet me on 
the Little Compton shore.” 

“Well, may God speed you, and now I will 
go and see what Peggy can contrive for you to 
eat, and in about twenty minutes I will be back.” 

Hariy rose and dressed himself, secured his 
pistols and papers and sat down awaiting his 
host. Presently a click sounded in the wain- 
scotting and to his amazement the panel leading 

130 


ALICE BRENTON 


to the staircase opened. He started to his feet 
and took a step forward, as a girlish figure slipped 
through the opening, and in an instant he found 
himself face to face with Alice Brenton. The 
girl’s face became very pale, she was too frightened 
to move. 

Alice!” 

“Harry!” 

The young man caught the girl’s trembling 
hand as he said: 

“How did you learn of the secret stairway? 
I thought no one knew of it but Mr. Champlin 
and his daughter.” 

“Peggy told me so that I could slip in and 
see her without meeting the officers.” 

“O faithless womankind! I thought I was 
safe in here from all intruders and lo, in walks 
a fair Tory and takes my citadel by storm!” 

“Oh, Harry, I am so sorry. Are you really in 
danger ?” 

“Yes, in danger of my life, but that is nothing 
since I have seen you. Alice, ever since we parted 
on the evening of that party at Malbone I have 
longed for, and hoped for a meeting with you.” 


ALICE BRENTON 


The blood rushed to Alice’s face and Harry 
impetuously took her hand and drew her towards 
him. 

‘‘Alice, dearest, I love you. I tell you hastily 
and without hesitation for there is no time to be 
lost. Tell me, dear, will you give me just a little 
hope ? When this war is at an end can I come 
and claim you or shall I go into battle for my 
country unloved and unregretted ?” 

Alice raised her eyes to his and then the lids 
drooped over them, but she did not seek to draw 
away from him. 

“Tell me, Alice, quickly,” he said. Then 
he recovered himself as he realized the unusual 
hastiness of his wooing. 

“Pardon me,” he went on, “but I am beside 
myself Mr. Champlin will be in this room in a 
very few minutes. He must not find you here. 
I go back to Tiverton to-night. If you love me 
tell me where I can see you, just for one brief 
half hour before I go ?” 

Alice recovered herself by a heroic effort, and 
said: 

“I will be in Aunt Cassie’s summer kitchen 


132 


ALICE BRENTON 


at half-past eight, I will make some excuse 
to get her away, and if I do not succeed, both 
she and CufFy are trustworthy. You know the 
summer kitchen of the Brenton House, do you 
not, Harry r* 

‘‘Indeed I do. How often we used to tease 
Aunt Cassie for ginger cakes, and how she used 
to chase us out after giving us as many as we could 
eat.” 

“It seems as if those days were hundreds of 
years ago,” said Alice. 

“Now, dearest, you must go. I think I hear 
a noise. Mr. Champlin must not know that Miss 
Peggy has betrayed his secret. Farewell until 
half-past eight.” 

Scarcely had the panel closed upon Alice when 
the door opened and the master of the house 
came in. 

“I heard you talking to yourself, Harry, as 
I came along the passage.” 

Harry turned very red. “It is a habit I have, 
sir,” he said. 

“A very bad habit in these times since it might 
betray you; better keep a still tongue in your head. 


133 


ALICE BRENTON 


Now, my boy, I have planned how you are to 
get out of town. I will give you an old suit 
of clothes. They are Quaker drab. You will 
pass for a Quaker farmer, who returns to his home 
on the other side of the lines. In all probability 
you will succeed in imposing upon the sentinel. 
If not, you must knock him down in a most 
un-Quakerlike manner. Do not use your pistols 
as they would make too much noise. At half- 
past eight you must start; it will be quite dark 
at that time and you had better delay no longer. 
Peggy will bring you food and here is a flask of 
good Jamaica rum to keep the chill out of your 
bones.” 

Harry thanked his kind friend and when the 
clothes were brought he found that they fitted 
over the blue and buff suit which he wore, and it 
would serve for warmth on the voyage in place 
of the cloak which he must discard. 

As half-past eight approached, Peggy came in 
with food and warned him that it was almost 
time to start. When he had finished eating, 
she said: 

“My father is on guard outside near the secret 


134 


ALICE BRENTON 


door and if there is any danger ahead you will hear 
him striking his cane on the water spout at the 
corner of the house. In such a case you must 
remain on the stairway until you hear from one 
of us.” 

‘‘You are running great risks for me, Miss 
Peggy. I do not feel justified in accepting so much 
from you and your father.” 

“We are fellow patriots, you must remember. 
Besides the risk is not great, even if the soldiers 
should find this room they would never find the 
secret stairway; and now good-bye. Colonel Cran- 
ston, and good luck to you and your undertakings.” 

Harry gallantly raised the hand of Peggy 
Champlin to his lips and then passed through 
the open panel to the stairway. At the foot of 
the stairs he paused and listened attentively 
and then, hearing no sound, he softly drew back 
the bolt and passed out of the house. 

Mr. Champlin met him, and grasping his hand, 
looked at him with his kind, steady eyes, while 
he bade him Godspeed upon his journey. 

It was quite dark and there was an ominous 
flutter among the leaves, which indicated a storm, 

135 


ALICE BRENTON 


and Harry thought of the long and arduous pull 
before him across the mouth of the East Passage. 

“Go up the hill as fast as possible, there is 
always less danger above than below the hill. 
I will not go with you, as my presence would not 
help in case we were seen, and it is just as well 
that the old man should be left a little while 
longer to help some other young fellow on a 
similar errand.” 

The two men shook hands and parted, but 
Harry did not go up the hill. He descended it 
for a short distance until he came to the Brenton 
grounds and then disappeared among the slave 
quarters. He did not notice a slouching form, 
half hidden in the shadow of a low building; nor 
was he aware that the same form, stealthily 
following him, kept him in view until he entered 
the summer kitchen of old Aunt Cassie. 

Harry, on entering, threw olF the Quaker hat 
and coat, thereby appearing more like himself 
to the girl he loved. 

The meeting of the lovers was one of mingled 
delight and pain. The half-hour which they 
allowed themselves seemed but a moment of 

136 



The half hour which they allowed themselves seemed but a 
moment of time. 










-' HM ,: ■- .r r;.f‘v •.•:•■>«: y 




.- .-i - • .• 

-*V- •r'V- 


.’^v 




' '••*!?•■■• ,.«j 





4 

J* 





A . irti' ; * r. ^ 

l/.*‘ *1 r ^ 

' -» • I • # •. • M 


# * ’ ^ 1 








i'-. ' w 

^-•vri . 

^V' ^ ■' • 




* A 





. ‘ TNr 


*'1 


V- 


< ,Si *ft 4 -1 ’ 

tr. . »; , ,* 



ALICE BRENTON 


time, and so engrossed were they upon each other 
that they did not see a sinister face peering in upon 
them through the small window, nor did they 
hear the sound of retreating feet, after that face 
had disappeared with a demoniacal expression 
upon it. 

One half-hour of happiness mingled with grief 
and then Alice stole softly away towards the house 
and Harry donned the gray coat and hat and 
started on his perilous journey. After quitting 
the Brenton grounds he walked rapidly up the 
hill for a few rods. More than once he thought 
he heard a footstep, then, suddenly, directly in 
front of him, blocking his pathway, stood a file 
of soldiers. 

“Haltr 

Harry, remembering his dangerous errand, 
drew his pistol. It was instantly knocked from 
his grasp, and his arms were pinioned behind 
him. ‘‘You are our prisoner,’’ said the sergeant. 

“On what grounds ?” asked Harry. 

“You will find out when you are brought 
before the general.” 

A soldier was ordered to walk on either side 

137 


ALICE BRENTON 


of him and the sergeant gave the signal to march. 

As they started a figure stepped up behind 
Harry and a hoarse voice sounded in his ear, 
“You’re caught, my fine laddie. I told old Cran- 
ston, when he had me flogged and branded for 
helping myself to corn on Brenton’s farm, that 
rd be even yet with them both. You’ll be hung, 
and if old Brenton has escaped me himself, 
there’s his fine daughter, that I saw with you in 
the old kitchen, her turn will come next.” 

“Hound!” exclaimed Harry. 

“You needn’t flare up on her account, she’s 
just playing fast and loose on you. To-morrow 
she’ll be off with the gay young British officer 
that has been stopping at her house. I’ve often 
seed ’em together, horseback riding — ” 

“Be off with you,” said the sergeant. “You’ve 
done your work and that’s enough.” 

“I’ll foller till I gets my reward.” 

“No, you won’t, you’ll get your reward by 
appearing at General Bigot’s headquarters to- 
morrow, so off with you or, by God, I’ll order 
my men to fire on you.” 

Dolby, for it was no other than that wretched 

138 


ALICE BRENTON 


being, slunk away in the darkness and the sergeant 
hurried his men along with the prisoner. 

It was a march of more than a mile to General 
Pigot’s camp, near the foot of Miantonomi Hill, 
and Harry’s brain was in a turmoil all the way. 
Had his hands been free he might have destroyed 
the papers he carried, but as it was he could not 
get at them. He thought of the certain death 
that awaited him and never before had life appeared 
so sweet. Many times had he, when bivouacking 
with General Sullivan, thought how he would 
willingly die and give up life and all its desires 
to hold Alice Brenton for one moment in his 
arms. He had held her at last, and felt the 
touch of her sweet lips, and life was now doubly 
dear to him. For her and her alone, he desired 
to live. He had lost his mother during his child- 
hood, his father died after he entered the army, 
and his two brothers had ties of their own; so no 
other being than Alice Brenton held him to earth. 

The villainous words, spoken by Dolby, oc- 
curred to him more than once and he tried to 
forget them. Could the wretch succeed in harm- 
ing Alice? The very thought was gall to him, 

139 


ALICE BRENTON 


bound and a prisoner as he was. Then the British 
officer, what about him ? He tried to convince 
himself that it was all a lie, and so amid conflicting 
emotions and direful apprehensions he was con- 
ducted to General Pigot. 

The English general had for his headquarters 
a disused farmhouse at the foot of the hill, on 
which was posted a battery which could command 
the country and bay for miles around. 

The plan of this new fortification, besides those 
of others along the east shore and at Castle Hill, 
were found in his possession, together with the 
names of patriots in the town. He was a spy, 
caught red-handed, and the only punishment 
to be meted out to him was hanging. The 
general questioned him closely, but to none of 
his questions did he receive an answer. 

“You have found your evidence, I have nothing 
to say. Do your worst, I die for the United 
States of America,” he said proudly. 

Among the assembled officers was one young 
man, from whose face he could scarcely take his 
eyes. What was there about him that sug- 
gested the beautiful face of Alice Brenton ? 


140 


ALICE BRENTON 


The officer caught the eye of the condemned 
spy more than once fixed upon him and returned 
him a stare, cold and stern. Harry’s face fell. 
Even a reminder of the girl he loved was to be 
denied him for the officer’s look and demeanor 
forbade further scrutiny, and he was soon led 
away to an improvised prison where he was to 
remain until the sentence of death should be 
carried out. 


CHAPTER XI 


The next morning after breakfast, Miss 
Champlin noticed that Sam hung around the 
dining-room, taking an uncommonly long time 
in performing his duties as butler. 

‘‘What is the matter, Sam,” his young mistress 
said. ‘‘ Have you been up to some new mischief 
or have you discovered some new secret place 
where the Tories have hidden provisions ?” 

Sam approached Peggy, his eyes rolling mys- 
teriously; “Miss Peggy, I hab news for you, an* 
it ain’t good news neither.” 

“We seldom hear good news now, Sam, but 
what is it ?” 

“Marse Harry Cranston was cotched last 
night an* carried off by de soldiers.” 

“Nonsense, Sam. You do not know what 
you are talking about.” 

“Yes I does. Miss Peggy, fur I seed him when 
he was took.” 

“You are making it all up, you deserve to be 


ALICE BRENTON 


whipped, you black bird of ill omen,’’ said Peggy, 
her heart sinking all the while. 

“Dis nigger may be brack, but he tell de truf, 
shore. Miss Peggy. I seed him when he come 
in de mornin’ and when you poked him in de ole 
shay, and den I see Massa come out an’ take him 
away.” 

“Oh, you rascal! you see everything, did you 
see him enter the house 

“No, Miss Peggy, I was hidin’ behind de door, 
an’ I feared to come out as I ’spected Massa 
might take a notion to look back, so I waited 
till dey got good an’ off.” 

“Then I suppose you ran down to the Brenton 
House and told all the servants down there about 
it, and now it is all over town.” 

“No, Miss Peggy, ’fore de Lord, I nebber tole 
a living soul.” 

“ But you say you saw him when he was caught.” 

“Yes, Missy, it was just nine o’clock when I 
ran down to hab a talk with CufFy and I was be- 
hind de wall when de soldiers took him.” 

“Nine o’clock, Sam! You foolish thing, you 
can’t tell time.” 


143 


ALICE BRENTON 


“Yes, deed I can, Miss Peggy, I can count dis 
way, one, two, three, four, five, six, seben, eight, 
nine, ten — ’’ 

“Oh, nonsense, that is not the way to tell time.” 

“Dat is de way I tell time. Missy. You see, 
when de clock strikes, I count dat way, and las’ 
night I heard de clock in de hall strike nine 
times, den I go ober to see CulFy, and when I 
got down to de wall at de end ob de garden I 
seed a man dat walked mighty like Marse Harry 
come up from de Brenton place, an’ just as soon 
as he got as near as dat to me de soldiers pounced 
on him an’ carried him off.” 

“Oh, Sam, you imagined it all, how could you 
be sure that it was Master Harry 

“I heerd de name ob Cranston said by some 
one, I dunno who, but I heerd it an’ I know that 
it was Marse Harry that was took off by de soldiers 
las’ night.” 

“I hope you are mistaken, Sam, and you must 
not mention it to any one. I trust you did not 
tell CuflFy.” 

“No, Missy, I did not go down to de Brenton 
House after all. I was too skeert, for Dolby 


144 


ALICE BRENTON 


was sneaking round. I seed him slinkin’ down 
de lane just as Marse Harry was carried off.” 

“Well, Sam, you must keep quiet, it may mean 
a great deal to all of us if what you say is true. 
I know you are a faithful servant, and father and 
I trust you, so you must keep our good opinion.” 

“Deed you can trust me, Miss Peggy, I nebber 
tells nothin’ that’s goin’ to hurt my folks.” 

“Now you can go, Sam, and if you hear or see 
anything that is of interest just come to me and 
tell me.” 

“Yes, Missy,” said Sam as he courtesied out 
of the room. 

Peggy wanted time to think. Harry Cranston 
taken, and just as he left their house! She feared 
greatly for her father’s safety. It was a terrible 
state of affairs, but she still had hope that Sam 
was mistaken. Surely Harry left the house at 
half-past eight by the same clock which struck 
nine before the negro left the house. He ought 
to have been far over the hill and almost at the 
place where his boat was hidden by that time. 
Had he been caught by the sentinels she would not 
have wondered. 


10 


145 


ALICE BRENTON 


Just then her father came in, consternation 
depicted on his full, round face. 

“Peggy, Colonel Wanton has been here. He 
may be a Tory, but he is a good neighbor; he says 
that Harry Cranston was captured last night, 
and the strangest thing is he says he was taken 
down there by the Brenton quarters about nine 
o’clock. Why, I sent him off at half-past eight, 
I heard the clock strike as I came in after leaving 
him, and I particularly cautioned him to go over 
the hill as fast as possible. He could not have 
gone daft and lost his way and wandered round 
for half an hour.” 

“Oh, never,” said Peggy, “Harry has too much 
sense, but things look very queer.” Then she 
told Sam’s story. 

Mr. Champlin mused for some time, then he 
said, “It is the strangest thing I ever heard, and 
it is going to make bad work for our cause. The 
colonel thinks he will be hung.” 

The tears flowed from Peggy’s eyes, and both sin- 
cerely mourned the fate of the young man who had 
so lately partaken of their hospitality. The girl’s 
household duties were sadly neglected that day. 

146 


ALICE BRENTON 


Once again Sam came to her with news. Miss 
Peggy, Fs been up to de Marquis o’ Granby 
Tavern an’ dere is a gal up dere who tells me 
lots ob news. She waits on de officers in de tap 
room an’ hears ebery word dey say. She’s a 
gal who come in a ship from ober de sea, an’ she 
can talk like dem dibbles o’ Hessianers.” 

Peggy remembered a German girl who waited 
at the Marquis of Granby. She had been ship- 
wrecked with her parents and was brought into 
Newport three years before, and she said : 

‘‘Yes, I know all about her, so go on and tell 
me what she told you.” 

“Well she was waiting on some ob de Hessian 
officers an’ she heerd what dey said. Dey don’t 
know she knows dere kind o’ talk so dey say 
anything afore her, and to-day dey began to talk 
’bout Marse Cranston. Dey said he was goin’ 
to be hung to-morrow morning, just as soon as 
a paper was signed by Lord Percy.” 

“Sam, are you sure 

“^Dat is what de gal tole me. Miss Peggy.” 

Peggy’s blue eyes were suffused with tears 
as she ran to tell her father, and Mr. Champlin’s 

H7 


ALICE BRENTON 


grief was genuine and sore, not alone on his own 
account, but because he loved the son of his old 
friend. Then she stole away to tell Alice Brenton. 
She found the girl looking sweet and shy, and 
she was greeted with more than usual affection. 
Not knowing nor suspecting anything about Aliceas 
love affair she immediately plunged into the details 
of young Cranston’s visit to Newport and his 
capture and subsequent condemnation. 

As she spoke, so engrossed was she in her own 
emotions, she did not notice the agony in her 
friend’s face, nor even the ghastly pallor until 
Alice fell in a faint at her feet. Then Peggy 
reproached herself for her thoughtlessness and 
called Chloe to assist her in reviving the stricken 

girl- 

After they had succeeded and laid her on 
the bed, Alice said, 

‘‘Did you tell me that Harry Cranston was to 
die to-morrow ?” 

“Yes, dear, and I was so stupid as to blurt 
it out without warning. I might have known 
that you would take it badly, for every one 
could see that Harry Cranston loved the ground 

148 


ALICE BRENTON 


you walked on. Oh, this war is a terrible thing! 
Would that I could go on my knees to the British 
general and beg for his life. You have a brother 
who is an English officer, I should think you 
might get him to intercede.’’ 

‘‘My brother is not here. He is at present 
with his battery at Miantonomi Hill, and now 
leave me, Peggy, like a good girl, I must rest and 
think. Good-bye.” 

Peggy withdrew, undetermined as to Alice’s 
feelings for young Cranston. 

“I wonder if she really loves him,” she said 
to herself. “I suppose I startled her and she is 
not very strong, so that may account for her 
fainting, but one thing I know, if Harry Cranston 
loved me as I know he loves Alice Brenton I 
would go to Lord Percy himself, but she comes 
of Tory stock and that makes a difference.” 


149 


CHAPTER XII 


After Peggy had gone Alice lay like one 
stunned. Then she began to think. The think- 
ing was agony. Only a short time had elapsed, 
it could be reckoned in minutes, since she had 
felt so happy. She had pictured Harry as having 
eluded the sentries, gaining his boat, and rowing 
across the water which separated the town from 
Sakonnet, and from there galloping with all 
speed to the Continental army. All night she had 
lain awake, timing in her mind every dip of 
Harry’s oars, and with him she drew nearer and 
nearer to the opposite shore. Now at one blow 
all this sweet dream was dispelled, all her hopes 
were shattered and she saw naught but a dis- 
graceful death for the man she loved. She rose 
and walked the room, taking care to lock the door 
to keep out all intruders. Presently the blood 
began to course like fire through her veins, her 
lips became set and her hands clinched. 

“I have a brother in the British army. He 


ALICE BRENTON 


IS on the best of terms with the generals; Pigot 
is his friend and he is even a favorite with Lord 
Percy. He must and shall save Harry. Oh, 
that he were here instead of at the camp! How 
can I reach him r' 

She went to the window and saw Pompey 
walking her chestnut pacer Nellie up and down 
the stable yard for exercise. A thought struck 
her, and she said to herself: 

Nellie can take me to him; dear, fleet-footed 
Nellie. I once rode her on an errand to serve 
the British, I will now get even and ride her to 
save Harry’s life.” 

Then she set to planning a daring venture, 
one that love gave her courage to undertake. 

The sun had set and darkness was fast settling 
over Newport, for it was a cloudy evening, and 
the moon would not rise until very late. Alice 
had had an uneasy afternoon and the supper 
time was exceedingly trying, for her mother had 
been unusually fretful and tired. Mrs. Brenton’s 
health had failed very much during the past 
month and she had engrossed a great part of her 
daughter’s time, Greatly to Alice’s relief she 


ALICE BRENTON 


proposed retiring immediately after supper and 
the girl forced herself to be very patient until 
she was safely tucked away in the high-curtained 
bed. Then she gave the old lady a lingering 
kiss and withdrew. 

She almost flew to her room, donned a strong 
woollen gown, the hat she wore when horseback 
riding, and a short cape. Then she lit a small 
lantern and cautiously slipped out to the stables, 
first securing the key which Pompey always hung 
on a nail in the back passageway. Nellie whinnied 
as she entered the stable and it was only the work 
of a minute to loosen her and place upon her 
back a man’s saddle which she took from the 
harness room. She looked carefully to the girths 
and to the adjustment of the bit and the bridle. 
When all was ready she led the mare out of the 
stable, locked the door, and was preparing to 
mount when she felt a hand upon her shoulder. 
Before she could utter a scream a familiar voice 
said: 

Miss Alice, where am you going 

“Oh, CufFy, how you startled me! I am just 
going to take a ride, it is very hot in th^ house.” 


152 


ALICE BRENTON 


“ Dis is no time for a young lady to take a ride. 
Better wait until daylight, when Marse Stanley 
can go too.’^ 

“Oh, never mind Mr. Stanley, he is at the fortifi- 
cations. So let me go, CuflFy, I will not be long.” 

“Miss Alice, I done promise Marse Cranston 
to take care ob you and I cannot let you ride dis 
night.” 

‘‘Do you know where Master Harry is to-night, 
CulFy .?” 

“Oh, dear Miss Alice, you break dis pore ole 
nigger’s heart when you ax him dat. Pore 
Marse Harry! Ole Cuffy would die dis berry 
night to sabe him.” 

“Listen, CuflFy, you need not die if you just let 
me go; you know that Mr. Stanley is my own 
true brother, do you not .^” 

“Yes, Miss Alice.” 

“Well, he stands in high favor with the British 
commander. I will go to him and beg him to 
intercede for Harry’s life.” 

“But, Miss Alice, it am a long ride and you 
know de soldiers am a-hanging round. It’s pesky 
risky for a lady to go out alone.” 

153 


ALICE BRENTON 


‘‘Not so very. You see I have a short skirt and 
I put a man’s saddle on Nellie. I shall ride like 
a man, and in the darkness will pass for one; 
besides I am armed, here is a pistol that belongs 
to my brother and which he taught me to use, 
and here is a dagger, the sharpest you ever saw. 
I am desperate and I mean to save Master Harry.’’ 

“O Lor, Miss Alice, you am brave, and if you 
must sabe pore Marse Harry, Cuffy will hab to 
let you go; but dis ole nigger he go too.” 

“Nonsense, Culfy, you would get caught.” 

“Dear Missy, I’se a-gwine to go.” 

“No, you must stay here and take care of the 
house.” 

“Dis nigger promised Marse Harry he would 
take care ob Miss Alice. He never said a word 
about the house, and I’se a-gwine to keep my 
word.” 

“Now, Cuffy, do not be obstinate. Time is 
flying and I must go. Help me to mount, there’s 
a good Cuffy. Now I’m off; do not say a word to 
any one in the house about my going. I will 
be back in a couple of hours and you must wait 
up to let me in.” 


154 


ALICE BRENTON 


CufFy said no more but helped his young 
mistress to mount and in a moment she was off. 

“I go too,” said Cuffy, “little Missy dunno 
how fast de ole man can get ober de ground.” 

He seized a stick, a sort of broom or mop 
handle that stood against the door post, so that 
he might have a weapon of some sort, and started 
in the direction Alice had taken. Although he 
was old he was strong and nimble. Born a 
savage in one of the forests of Africa he possessed 
a certain power of endurance unknown to civilized 
man. His days of bondage had not weakened 
his constitution, for Mr. Brenton, like most New 
England masters, never overworked his slaves, 
and Cuffy was as straight as one of the palm trees 
of his native land and possessed as much elasticity. 
He walked rapidly, in fact his walk was faster 
than many a man’s run, and his step was noiseless 
and light. Sometimes he could hear the hoof- 
beats of Nellie when she struck a hard part of the 
road, then he lost the sound. That was when 
Alice took to the soft turf along the edge. No 
one molested the girl as she rode through the town, 
in fact she met no one. As she guided Nellie 

155 


ALICE BRENTON 


over the soft grass beyond the town limits she 
heard voices on the opposite side of the way, 
but the night was dark, and the roisterers, for 
such they seemed to be, were making too much 
noise themselves. That danger past she met no 
one else on the highway. As she turned into 
the narrow road which led to the British camp, 
her heart began to sink. This was the same 
road over which the gay party went on their 
way to the garden fete at Malbone. Should 
she meet any one here the encounter might prove 
disastrous, for high banks rose on either side of 
the way, and there was no possible means of 
avoiding any one. 

“Courage, courage,’’ she said to herself, 
“Harry’s life depends upon it,” and she ventured 
through the gloomy, narrow road. 

The cottage where Harry had stopped and 
talked to the old man, had long been deserted 
by the owner and his family, and a party of 
Hessians had taken up their abode in it. It took 
all the girl’s nerve to guide Nellie slowly along, 
lest her hoofs should clatter, until a considerable 
distance separated her from the cottage. Farther 

156 


ALICE BRENTON 


along the road the banks became wider and Alice 
urged the mare to climb up on the soft grass 
where her hoofs made but little noise. It was 
well that the girl knew the way, for the darkness 
grew heavier every minute, and as she descended 
the hill into the valley she could hardly see her 
hand before her face. A little bridge spanned 
a brook just at the entrance to the Malbone 
estate and it was with difficulty she was able 
to find it. 

After crossing the bridge she dared no longer 
follow the road, for it led near the ruins of the old 
mansion where another party of Hessians had 
established themselves, having improvised a tem- 
porary roof of canvas. The farmhouse, being 
in better repair, was used by the officers. She 
knew of a narrow path over the foot hill which 
led directly to the higher eminence, known as 
Miantonomi Hill, where the British had thrown 
up earthworks and fortified themselves. Here 
she hoped to find her brother. With difficulty 
she kept Nellie in the path, for it was not dis- 
cernible, and she found herself often riding 
over the stubble. The hum of voices from the 


157 


ALICE BRENTON 


ruin, where the Hessians were carousing, fell upon 
her ears, but no straggler crossed her path and 
she was challenged by no sentry. 

Presently Nellie drew up against something 
and Alice felt a thrill of fear run through her, but 
in an instant she realized that it was a huge rock, 
jagged and rough, surrounded by several smaller 
ones, which stood not far from her destination. 
She knew that a bare tree trunk grew beside the 
rock, at one time, and she fervently prayed that 
it might have escaped the rapacious seekers 
after firewood. It would serve as a hitching 
post for Nellie as it was not feasible to ride farther 
up the hill, so dismounting she felt around care- 
fully and sure enough there it was. 

Nellie resented being left alone in the darkness 
and whinnied. Alice was obliged to pat and 
coax and almost entreat her to keep quiet and 
the intelligent animal seemed to yield under- 
standingly to her young mistress. 

The camp was discernible in the distance by 
means of a few shifting lights and Alice was 
hurrying towards them when the word “Halt!’’ 
fell upon her ears. She stood still, at first un- 

158 


ALICE BRENTON 


decided what to do. Then came the challenge, 
“Who goes there r* 

“Is this the camp of General Pigot ?*’ She 
found courage to say. 

The English soldier was startled at the sound 
of a woman’s voice and for a moment did not 
answer. At last he said, “It is, what do you 
want r* 

“ I want one of his officers. Lieutenant Stanley 
of the First Artillery.” 

“ I cannot let you pass.” 

“You can pass the word along for him to come 
here.” 

“Indeed, I cannot. Lieutenant Stanley would 
not come. He is not one of the kind that runs 
at the beck and call of every light o’ love that 
chooses to follow the camp.” 

“How dare you speak so! I am Lieutenant 
Stanley’s sister, and I must see him on a matter 
of life and death.” 

“Oh, if that’s the case. I’ll do what I can for 
you and beg your pardon.” 

He kept her an incredible time waiting while 
he walked to the end of his beat and back again. 


159 


ALICE BRENTON 


“I have passed the word and the lieutenant 
will be here presently/’ he said. 

If she only dared she would make a wild rush 
past him, so intensely was she excited. Now 
that her brother was coming what would he say ^ 

Would he be angry with her and send her home 
in disgrace f 

No, Alfred was too kind-hearted and he loved 
her so much. He would intercede with the 
generals, and Harry would be reprieved, and she 
could go home happy. If he would only escort 
her to town or even send a couple of soldiers 
to protect her it would be so much better than 
groping her way along alone. Oh, that long 
terrible ride, how it made her shudder. 

A quick step sounded near her and a lantern 
was held above her head. 

“My little sister! What has happened that 
you are here alone ? How came you to venture 
into the camp ? Come quickly to my quarters 
and tell me all,” exclaimed Lieutenant Stanley. 

He led the way to a tent and bade her enter. 
Drawing a campstool forward, he motioned her 
to be seated, saying: 


l6o 


ALICE BRENTON 


“Rest while you are telling me, for surely 
something appalling must have happened to bring 
you here alone through the darkness. It makes 
me shiver to think of the dangers you have tempted. 
Has some disaster befallen your home ?” 

“No, brother,’’ answered Alice softly, “but 
something terrible has befallen a friend of our 
house, a very dear friend, and I have come to 
ask you to entreat General Pigot to save him.” 

“A friend of your house.? What has General 
Pigot to do with one of your friends ?” 

“He holds him a prisoner and his life is at 
stake.” 

“Whom do you mean.? Not the spy, caught 
last night with damaging papers in his possession 
and who owns that he is an officer in the army 
of rebellion .?” 

“I mean Colonel Hariy Cranston of the Con- 
tinental army, whom your soldiers took last night 
while on a visit to his old home and friends.” 

“Oh, the devil! Alice, I can do nothing for 
him, he is to be shot to-morrow morning.” 

“To-morrow morning! Oh, Alfred, do not tell 
me that. He must be saved. Go to the general 

i6i 


11 


ALICE BRENTON 


and ask him to grant a delay. Think of it, Harry 
has been my friend since I was a little child. 
You ought to love him as a brother for when 
you were far across the sea he helped me gather 
flowers for our mother’s grave; no place was too 
difficult of access if he could only get the first 
and best of the spring blossoms, and now you 
would let him die. Oh, brother, you must not.” 

“My dear sister, I doubt not but Mr.Cranston 
has been a pleasant friend and companion, and 
I fully appreciate it; but he has the misfortune 
to be a rebel to his King, and worse than that, 
has acted the part of a spy. If you would only 
look at things calmly you would realize that it 
would be impossible to save him or even to grant 
a reprieve.” 

“Alfred, you must try. Have you no love for 
your sister ? See, I kneel before you, will you 
not go to the general and at least try for my 
sake ?” 

“Alice, you must have a stronger feeling than 
that of a friendship formed in childhood for this 
young man. Have you permitted yourself to love 
a rebel .^” 


ALICE BRENTON 


“I love Harry Cranston, be he rebel or Tory,’^ 
the girl said proudly. 

‘‘This grieves me very much, but it does not 
make it any easier for me to go to General Pigot. 
Why he would either laugh at me or put me under 
arrest. There is no mercy for a spy.’’ 

Alice threw her arms around her brother’s 
neck and pressed her hot cheeks against his. 
The lieutenant was visibly affected. This newly- 
found sister was a winsome maid and withal 
so brave. Willingly would he have helped her, 
but he knew better than she the inexorable rules 
of war. 

“Brother, show me the way to General Pigot 
and I will beg for Harry’s life myself” 

“You do not realize what you say, dear. At this 
moment the general is consulting with his officers, 
for desperate things may be expected at any 
moment, and the life of a spy is not worth a groat.” 

At that moment the hurry of feet was heard 
outside and the clanging of arms. The young 
man disengaged his sister’s arms. 

“Something has happened, a night attack 
by the Americans perhaps. We have been 

163 


ex- 


ALICE BRENTON 


pecting it and are prepared/’ As he spoke he 
pushed Alice towards a large chest which stood 
under the slope of the tent. 

‘‘Get down behind there, and stay until I 
come back. We will soon drive the rebels away 
and then I will see that you have safe conduct 
to town. It was very foolish of you to come.” 

“Are you angry with me, Alfred.^” said the 
poor girl looking at him pitifully. 

“As angry as any brother would be with a 
lovable and charming sister who let her heart 
run away with her head,” he answered, at the 
same time kissing her on the cheek. 

He took up a roll of tent cloths as he spoke 
and threw them over her. “Now, if you want 
me to forgive you, you must lie very still. Do 
not move, whatever happens. Who knows but 
what this daring lover of yours may be rescued 
by his countrymen.” 

“Oh, if they could only find him and carry 
him off,” exclaimed Alice. 

“That is what I am going to try to prevent. 
Now lie still, there, no one would ever dream you 
were here.” 


164 


ALICE BRENTON 


Lieutenant Stanley hastily armed himself, and 
taking one backward glance at the heap behind 
the chest, stepped out of the tent. He was none 
too soon, for his men were assembled and he 
quickly took command. Never before had he 
gone unwillingly into action, but now he would 
have given much to have been out of the skirmish 
and flying with his sister down the hill towards 
the town. Sometimes the bravest soldiers are 
those whose duties call them against their inclina- 
tions, and such was the case with him. The 
thought of Alice nerved him and if he could not 
fly with her he would do his best to ward off 
the attack and so make the way easier for her 
return to her home. 

Alice remained very still under the tent cloths. 
She scarcely dared to breathe. Once she thought 
she heard something move outside the tent. 
Her blood froze in her veins and she wished 
herself at home. 

Why had she ventured out on this fruitless 
errand ? She could not save Harry and she had 
embarrassed and annoyed her brother. How 
was all this going to end Perhaps the Americans 

165 


ALICE BRENTON 


would succeed in rescuing Harry. What joy that 
would be! 

Another noise and she heard the tent curtain 
flap. She determined not to move, no matter 
what happened. 

“ Miss Alice, Miss Alice, where am you 

Alice knew the faithful voice of her old slave, 
and her brother’s injunctions and her own deter- 
mination were discarded. 

‘‘Here I am, CuflFy,” she answered. 

“I knowed you was in dis tent, cause I saw 
Marse Stanley goin’ out.” 

“How did you get here, CuflFy r* 

“Dis ole man walked right abter you. Missy, 
but nebber mind, Fse here an’ I knows where 
Marse Harry is.” 

“Oh, Cuffy, take me to him,” and the tent 
cloths were dashed aside and the girl sprang to 
her feet. 

“I’se feered de soldiers will kotch you.” 

“I will go very softly, we can at least make the 
attempt.” 

“Well, keep close to ole CuflFy, Miss Alice.” 

They stole out of the tent. There was no one 
1 66 


ALICE BRENTON 


near, and the night was as black as ever. CufFy 
held his mistress closely to him, almost carried 
her, and his footsteps made no noise. Alice 
dared not speak. All the subtleness of his early 
life in the jungle came back to the old slave. He 
moved as noiselessly as a panther and glided in 
and out among the tents like a snake. His eyes 
penetrated the darkness with wild, animal-like 
distinctness. Once they heard a noise close to 
them and he stood still, just where he was, as a 
cat would have done. Alice grasped the hilt 
of her oriental dagger. The noise died away 
and Culfy proceeded on. He had not gone far 
before they came in sight of a tent in which a 
light burned. 

‘ Dat’s de place,” he said. 

As Alice made a movement forward he held 
her back. 

“Dere am two soldiers outside, we slink round 
behind,” he said. 

A din of arms sounded nearer and first one and 
then another musket cracked. The fighting was 
still going on. Alice, by some intuition, felt 
that safety lay with Culfy. 

167 


ALICE BRENTON 


‘‘De soldiers will be listening to the fighting 
an’ won’t hear us,” said he. 

They reached the back of the tent as the heavy 
tramp of soldiers was heard close behind them. 
An extra guard was coming to prevent the pris- 
oner’s escape. 

‘‘See, Miss Alice, dey did not know dis was 
tore,” and he guided her hand to a great rent in 
the tent. Alice grasped the situation in an in- 
stant. Harry sat on a low seat securely bound, 
his hands behind his back and his feet tied to- 
gether. 

Like a flash she darted in and with her dagger 
frantically cut his bonds. 

“Alice!” he exclaimed. 

“No time to talk, Marse Harry,” said CulFy 
as he extinguished the light. ‘‘ Now foller me.” 

Alice and Harry did as the slave bade them, 
and crept out into the darkness. The negro 
kept them close in the shadow of the tent until 
his eyes became again accustomed to the night, 
then taking one by each hand he darted with 
them across an open space. 

“Now we am safe; go ober dat way, Marse 

i68 


ALICE BRENTON 


Harry, and you will find de ’Mericans. Dey 
hab just come up from de shore and sprized 
de camp. Run quick Tore de guard misses you.’’ 

Harry wished to linger and speak with Alice, 
but CufFy was master now, and the two high-born 
young people had to yield. They immediately 
found themselves separated, for the negro had 
seized Alice’s arm and hurried her down the hill 
leaving Harry to seek safety in flight in the direc- 
tion indicated by CufFy. 

‘‘I ought to go back to my brother’s tent, he 
will miss me and think I have been carried ofF,” 
said Alice. 

CufFy hesitated, but the firing was close behind 
them and there was danger in turning back. 

“ Better find Nellie and ride home,” he answered. 

Alice felt that she was not treating her brother 
fairly in going away without saying anything, 
and directly against his express command that 
she should not move; but when she considered 
for a moment that she had set Cranston free and 
laid herself open to his censure she thought she 
would take CufFy’s advice. Several times the 
old man paused, sometimes to listen for footsteps, 

169 


ALICE BRENTON 


sometimes to determine his exact location. The 
firing sounded farther off as if the assailing party 
was on the retreat, and their only danger now 
lay in meeting some party of Hessians hurrying 
to re-enforce the British on the hill. 

And now for the first time that night CufFy’s 
instinct deserted him, he had lost his bearings. 

Seems to me dat rock where you tied Nellie 
am a long ways off. Miss Alice. 

‘‘I seed her — shore, I follered you all de way, 
as fast as dese ole legs could run, an’ I found 
Nellie just where you tied her.” 

“ How did you get inside the lines ?” 

CufFy gave a low chuckle, “Dis nigger knows 
how to crawl. I just wriggled in an’ nobody 
heerd me. Den I seed a tent with a light in it 
an’ two soldiers by de door, an’ I slipped round 
behind an’ found de tear in de cloth an’ I peeked 
in an’ saw Marse Harry. Den I look round for 
my Missy an’ I seed Marse Stanley coming out 
ob a tent an’ dat’s all.” 

CufFy cut his story short as he feared their 
voices might be heard and he once more endeavored 
to locate himself. After several minutes he said, 


ALICE BRENTON 


‘‘I spec’ we hab come down de wrong side ob 
de hill.” 

“Oh, CulFy, what shall we do and I am so 
tired,” said Alice. 

“Let ole CufFy carry Missy.” 

“Oh, no, I will stand and rest a moment. 
Let me think, the firing has become less and less 
distinct, so they must be chasing the Americans. 
You say the Americans came up from the west 
shore. If so they would most likely go back the 
way they came. Now as all the noise seems to 
be over in the direction opposite to us we must be 
on the east side of the 'hill. I left Nellie on the 
south side, so let us go this way,” and she turned 
CufFy round in the direction indicated. 

“You hab a good head. Miss Alice, now we 
will see what we can do.” 

They had walked farther than they had sup- 
posed, and were really out of their way, so after 
some minutes they stopped discouraged. 

“I am very tired, CufFy, let me sit down for 
a little while and you can look round for the rock. 
I do not think any one will harm me for all the 
soldiers are on the other side of the hill.” 


ALICE BRENTON 


They had come to an old stone wall and on 
this Alice sank exhausted. 

“You will not stir, Missy?’’ said CulFy. 

“No, CulFy, I will not, but you must not lose 
your way.” 

“I’se not afraid to lose my way, ’cause I’se 
got all my bearings now, but I’se afeerd to lebe 
you.” 

“I will be very brave. We must find the mare, 
and you can find her better without me. Now 
go quickly.” 

The faithful negro reluctantly left the girl and 
started on his quest for Nellie. When he had 
gone Alice began to wish she had gone too. It 
was very lonely and grewsome sitting in the 
darkness on that stone wall. She sometimes 
saw lights moving at the camp and now and then 
the crack of a musket sounded in the distance. 

The Americans were evidendy routed and were 
fast making for their boats on the west shore. 
How much she would have given to know where 
Harry was and whether he had succeeded in 
joining his friends. If he had, and was now 
in their company, flying over the rocky pasture, 

IJZ 


ALICE BRENTON 


which separated the hill from the bay, she would 
feel that her perilous journey, her fatigue, aye, 
and the displeasure of her brother, were as noth- 
ing. But what an interminable time CuIFy was 
taking. At last she heard footsteps crackling 
over some dry sticks. Surely that could not be 
her old servant. The African stepped as stealthily 
as a leopard in his native forest, and this was 
a clumsy tramp of feet. 

She sat very still, hardly daring to breathe. 
If the intruder or intruders would only pass with- 
out discovering her all would be well, but to her 
horror the gleam of . a dark-lantern suddenly 
shone upon her. The bright rays revealed her, 
as she sat there trembling, to three ruffianly 
looking men and they each uttered an exclama- 
tion of surprise at the sight of her. 

“By the devil and all his angels!” exclaimed 
the holder of the lantern. 

“What have we here, one of the camp ladies ?” 
said another. 

“Bring the lantern closer,” said a third. 

Alice covered her face with her hands, but they 
were quickly removed by one of the ruffians. 

m 


ALICE BRENTON 


“By God, if here ain’t a prize, the Brenton 
wench!” said the first speaker, whom Alice 
recognized as no other than the villain Dolby. 

“What shall we do with her.^” asked one. 

“I’ll tell ye,” said Dolby, “we’ll hold her for 
a ransom. The old Brenton woman will pay 
well to get her daughter back.” 

“There’s a go, where shall we take her.^” 
asked one of the men. 

“Take her to Moll Bowman’s,” answered Dolby. 

The men laughed and the girl, awake to her 
terrible danger, hastily drew her pistol. Dolby 
saw the movement and instantly the weapon 
was snatched from her grasp. 

“She’s a desperate ’un,” said he. Then address- 
ing Alice, he added, “So you’ve been a-hanging 
round arter that fine dandy of an Englishman, 
or mebbe you’ve been trying to get a look at young 
Cranston before he swings to-morrow.” 

Alice answered nothing and a man took a place 
on each side of her, holding her arms fast. She 
gave a scream, loud and agonizing, but instantly 
a hand choked her. 

“Don’t yell. One more like that and you’ll 


174 


ALICE BRENTON 


be knocked in the head, deader than a door 
nail,” said Dolby viciously. 

Alice was half strangled. She almost lost con- 
sciousness and would have fallen had the villains 
not supported her. 

‘‘Better shut up the lantern,” said one of the 
rascals, “that ere yell o’ hern may have been 
heard.” 

Dolby closed the lantern and they started off 
with their prize. 


175 


CHAPTER XIII 


Sometimes Alice felt herself dragged along 
over marshy ground, at other times she must 
have been carried, first by one villain and then 
by another. It was not until she found a light 
flashed in her face and felt herself led to a seat 
that she realized that she was in some sort of a 
domicile. The sight of a woman in the place did 
not reassure her for she recognized the muscular 
form and repellant face of Moll Bowman, one of 
the worst women left unhung in the American 
Colonies. 

Although weak with exertion and terror, Alice 
did not lose the power of hearing. Every word 
the wretches uttered sank deep into her soul. 
After Dolby had laid before the woman his plan 
of keeping Alice a prisoner till a ransom could be 
arranged with Mrs. Brenton, the latter spoke up: 

‘‘You’re a fool, Dolby, the biggest fool in 
America. So you mean to go right off to the old 
lady and demand a ransom, do ye 

176 


ALICE BRENTON 


“Why not?’’ muttered the man. 

“Well I say you’re a fool! I know a way to 
double the money. Give me the girl for a week, 
then you can go and get your ransom. I will 
have made more money than the old lady has 
about her, do you see ?” 

“What do you mean, Moll ? You would not sell 
the girl to the Hessians ?” 

“That’s what I mean!” 

“Moll, the devil must have smiled when you 
were born,” exclaimed one of the men. 

“Is she any better than many another girl 
you’ve brought here for the same purpose ?” asked 
the woman. 

“Yes,” answered Dolby, “this girl is high-born. 
You will find yourself in a pretty mess. Harry 
Cranston is in love with her, and so is a gay young 
British officer. I would not give much for our 
lives if either party catches us.” 

“Pshaw, Harry Cranston will be hung to- 
morrow, and as for the Britisher — ” 

“Hist, Moll, Harry Cranston won’t be hung 
to-morrow. He has escaped. There was a night 
attack by the Americans, who landed over by Cod- 


177 


ALICE BRENTON 


dington’s Cove, and somehow he got off. We 
heard the Britishers skirmishing round, searching 
for him, and making a great hubbub/’ 

“Thank God!” exclaimed the girl prisoner, 
whom they thought too inert to hear their con- 
versation. 

“ So that’s the way the wind blows, is it ?” 
sneered the woman. “ Come, you get into the other 
room and lie down for a spell, you’re too spry 
altogether.” 

She pushed Alice into an inner room, in which 
stood a bed and a few articles of furniture. 

“Now stay there, you’re as safe as a mouse in a 
trap. No need of trying the window for it’s 
barred. You would not be the first to try it, 
however, but no one ever got out of this room 
until I let ’em.” 

With these words she shut and secured the door. 

“Moll,” said Dolby, “I have no mind to be 
a party to any foul play with that ere gal. I 
have no love for the Brentons, nor for the Cran- 
stons either, but I have for the bones and hide 
of James Dolby and something tells me we had 
better just demand a ransom from old Lady 

178 


ALICE BRENTON 


Brenton, or a reward for rescuing the gal from 
the soldiers, we can put it.” 

‘‘That’s what I say,” said one of the men, a 
tall, powerfully built fellow with a mat of black 
hair and whiskers. 

“And I too,” said the third, who was some- 
what shorter and wore ear-rings. 

“You’re three devilish fools,” said the woman 
angrily. 

“Not so much as you think, Moll,” said the 
tall man. “You see we are shady characters 
at best. It’s dangerous .to risk a reward for 
finding the gal, much more to injure her and then 
hand her back to her folks. If you had been 
through as much as I have been, you’d think 
twice before actin’.” 

“Yes,” said the man with the ear-rings, “it’s 
dangerous business meddlin’ with the gal. It’s 
not the same as ’twas with them poor ones, that 
had no one to purtect them. This one has power- 
ful friends. I’ll be bound, and I have no mind 
to risk the cart’s tail or the branding-iron again.” 

While the men were speaking, Moll’s face 
underwent violent contortions with rage. Before 

79 


ALICE BRENTON 


the third one had finished, she grasped a chair 
and swinging it high above her head, she cried, 

‘‘If any one dares say another word against 
my plans I’ll brain him with this,” and she swung 
the chair round so violently the men were obliged 
to dodge first one way and then another. 

“Peace, woman,” said Dolby, “you’re making 
a fuss about nothing; surely we are all deep 
enough in the mire to work together; sit down and 
let us make our plans. It’s money I’m after 
more than anything else. What say you, Ben, 
and you, Andrew ?” 

“That’s what I’m looking for,” said Ben, the 
taller of his two companions. 

“And me too,” said Andrew. 

“And you stupid idiots, you would throw away 
a chance to make double the amount,” cried Moll, 
her anger rising again. 

“No, we are only a little cautious,” said Dolby. 

“Cautious be hanged!” yelled the woman. 
“If you had been cautious you’d never have had 
that beautiful brand on yer cheek, you’d have 
got off with the old Brenton’s corn and kept 
out of Judge Cranston’s clutches.” 

i8o 


ALICE BRENTON 


‘‘Curse him,” exclaimed Dolby, now growing 
furious over his sufferings, while the deep scar 
on his face, that ineffaceable witness of his criminal- 
ity, glowed red by the light of the glimmering 
candle. 

“And I say curse all them damned aristocrats 
that never gave us unfortunate devils a chance, 
but whipped us and burnt our flesh if we only 
helped ourselves to enough to keep life in our 
bodies,” exclaimed Andrew as he, too, recalled 
past punishments. 

“And in what greater way can they be cursed 
than to lose their money and suffer through those 
they dote most upon ?” asked Moll. 

“Sure enough,” said Dolby, “but how can 
we manage things and keep our necks safe ?” 

“ Leave that to me,” said Moll, “ a reward will 
be offered for the girl, no doubt; when there is, 
come to me and I will have things all fixed.” 

“ I suppose weVe got to give in,” said Ben. 

“Well, if we have, it’s time we were goin’, 
daylight will be upon us before we get under 
cover. What have you to drink, Moll .^” said 
Dolby. 

i8t 


ALICE BRENTON 


‘‘There’s beer in that jug, but you’d better 
not waste much time in drinking, you’re too 
precious of yourselves to risk the daylight.” 

“Don’t be too sharp-tongued, Moll, we’re 
all partners and must hang together,” answered 
the man. 

The men, after refreshing themselves, shuffled 
away, and Moll lay down upon a settle near the 
fireplace with an old cushion under her head. 
As she composed herself she muttered: ‘‘Better 
let that fine hussy alone until it^s time to give 
her something to eat, for I suppose I’ve got to 
feed her, and I need rest after all I’ve been through 
day and night.” 

Soon her heavy breathing told that she slept 
and the old house, which was little more than a 
hut, was wrapped in silence. 

Alice, after she had groped her way to the bed, 
lay down from sheer exhaustion. So tired was 
she, that in spite of her precarious situation and 
grave apprehensions, nature soon asserted itself 
and she slept. 

It was morning when she awoke, and there 
was a slight, drizzling rain. She arose and 

182 


ALICE BRENTON 


looked out of the small barred window. The 
outlook was over the bay. A small gravelly 
beach stretched down towards the water and far 
at anchor lay a British man-of-war. It was too 
hazy to see much more, but Alice knew enough 
of the geography of the island to see that she was 
on the west shore not very far north of the town. 
The window was barred on the outside by three 
heavy oaken bars, securely fastened on the out- 
side. She raised the sash and tried to shake them, 
but they were firm. 

Just then the door opened and the cruel face 
of Moll Bowman appeared, her black eyes glaring 
like burning coals. 

‘T thought you’d be up to that, you’re not the 
first that tried them bars, but there’s no getting 
out of here until I sez so.” 

‘‘Are you a woman or a fiend ?” asked Alice. 

“ Both and it’s a dangerous combination,” 
answered Moll. 

“I think so, but you might at least have mercy 
on one who never harmed you, indeed I would 
do you good if I could.” 

“You would, would you.? Then be quiet, eat 

183 


ALICE BRENTON 


this porridge and get strong and hearty — nothing 
like strength to keep up good looks/’ 

Alice thought she had softened the woman’s 
heart and, being very hungry, she did justice to the 
bowl of porridge which Moll set before her. 
Then she asked for water that she might perform 
her toilet. 

‘‘You want to make yourself comely, do you ? 
Well, you shall have it and any other necessaries 
the poor house affords, if you’ll be reasonable.” 

She brought the water, and Alice refreshed 
herself as well as she could. Then she arranged 
her hair under difficulties for she had nothing 
but her shell back-comb. She could not bring 
herself to use the greasy comb which Moll pro- 
vided. The food had given her strength, and 
strength had given her mind new activity. She 
began to think that perhaps the woman would 
not be so bad after all, and then Harry was free, 
she heard one of the men say so. Surely if Harry 
had escaped God would be good to her too. 

As she sat thinking, Moll again entered the 
room and sitting down on the one remaining 
chair said, 


184 


ALICE BRENTON 


“ Do you know who I am ?” 

“Yes, you are Moll Bowman,’’ answered Alice. 

“What do you know about me Nothing 
good. I’ll be bound. Your kind of folks never 
say anything good of the poor.” 

Alice was silent. She surely had never heard 
anything good of Moll Bowman. For several 
years she had listened to wild tales of this terrible 
woman and now she was in her power. 

“ Can’t ye speak 

“You are mistaken in saying that my people 
never say any good of the poor. We have a great 
many friends among the very humble, and even 
among the poor black people.” 

“Yes, of course among the niggers, but us poor 
folks, who never had a chance, you just trample.” 

“Have you never had a chance, Moll .f*” 

The woman’s face looked drawn and white 
and her lips trembled. 

“No, Miss Brenton, I never had a chance, nor 
my mother before me. We have been the out- 
casts, the scum, hunted and hounded like wild 
beasts, and what wonder if, like beasts, we turn 
and rend your kind ?” 


185 


ALICE BRENTON 


“I never knew there were people who had no 
chance to do right. I thought people did wrong 
because they liked it,” said Alice. 

“To us there is no right nor wrong, because 
whatever we do is wrong, in the eyes of those in 
authority; so we do as we please, and take all 
we can get.” 

“ Have you no fear of God ?” 

“Of God If there is a God, he has no use 
for such as me, nor John Bowman, nor Jim Dolby, 
nor for my poor mother either. Oh, no, God 
is an aristocrat.” 

“Do not talk so, Moll. I am sure if I or my 
father, or mother, or any of the good people of 
the town knew that you wanted a chance to do 
right you would have had it.” 

Moll laughed a wild laugh that startled Alice 
from her seat. 

“ Do you want to hear a tale, a tale of a woman’s 
wrongs and sufferings ^ If you do you will see 
that some are born to woe, from which they can- 
not be redeemed, and the only satisfaction they 
can get is to see others suffer like themselves.” 

Alice sincerely pitied the woman and she said, 

1 86 


ALICE BRENTON 


“If it will relieve your mind to tell me I will 
listen. I am sure I am very sorry for you.’’ 

“Well my curse began with my grandmother. 
You may not believe me, but she was a lady, an 
English lady. Her father was a nobleman, a baron, 
rich and proud, so you see I come of high stock. 

“ Now it happened that my grandmother and her 
father had set out on a journey in their coach, 
and were met by highwaymen, who robbed them 
and made them prisoners. My grandmother 
was young then and very pretty, and when the 
leader of the robbers saw her he determined that 
she should be his, so to make things easy for 
himself, he let her father go and carried her off 
to a lonely house in the wood, where he made 
his home. Her family could not find her and she 
was kept a prisoner, but well treated. At last 
she was obliged to yield to the desires of the 
robber chief and she became his mistress. When 
she begged him to marry her he laughed her to 
scorn. A child was born to them, that was my 
mother. Then one day he told her he had found 
a prettier maid to take her place and he would 
send her back to her father. Two of his gang 

187 


ALICE BRENTON 


her, with her child in her arms, at her father’s 
gate and then rode away. She made her way 
to the great hall door and was told that her father 
was dead the past six months and her brother 
was master now. 

“ Miss Brenton, what do you think that brother 
did ? Did he take his injured sister and her child 
to his heart and home ^ Oh, no, he and his wife 
drove her away with curses, and she found her way 
to London where she eked out a miserable living. 

“Weak, broken-hearted, and poor, she had 
but little control over her child and my mother 
grew up in the streets, but she at an early age 
learned the story of her birth. 

“When she was fifteen her mother died and the 
daughter and sister of proud barons was buried 
in the Potter’s Field. 

“ My mother became wild and reckless in 
London. One day she saw riding in the park, 
a beautiful young girl, younger than herself. 
She saw her again the next day, and for several 
days after. How she admired that girl ! She traced 
her to a stately home on one of the best streets 
in London, and there she often went to catch 

i88 


ALICE BRENTON 


a glimpse of her. The girl seemed to cast a spell 
over her. Bye and bye she found out her name. 
Who do you think she was ? Her own cousin, 
the daughter of the man w^ho had been so cruel 
to her mother. After the first surprise was over 
she found herself glad that so beautiful a girl 
was a near relation, and one day she was so foolish 
as to step up and speak to her as she stepped out 
of her carriage at the door. The girl drew back 
in horror. That creature of the streets to dare 
address her! She made the servants drive my 
mother away, and it would have been better for 
her if she had kept away and never tried to see 
the proud girl again, but she was young and had 
not learned her place in the world; so she spoke 
to her cousin again and long enough to explain 
her relationship. This time the girl called no 
servant, but went back into the house. My 
mother should have fled and never have approached 
that house again, but she had not yet learned 
of what stuflF the rich were made and she stood 
there. Soon a man came out, it was her uncle, 
she knew him by his resemblance to her dead 
mother, and with him came a servant, to whom 


ALICE BRENTON 


he seemed to give a message. As the servant 
hurried away this noble baron stood laughing 
at my poor mother and jeered at her for imagin- 
ing a relationship to his daughter, and she stood 
frightened-like until the watch came and carried 
her away to prison. Oh, why did not God strike 
him dead at her feet ? 

“Well she was tried and condemned as a vagrant, 
and the chief witness against her was her own 
uncle, who accused her of annoying his daughter. 
A ship full of convicts was about to sail for America 
and my unfortunate mother was put on board. 
What she suffered on that voyage she never told 
outright, although often when I was a child she 
rehearsed much of her sad stoiy to me. From 
what I have heard of those kind of ships I fear 
she suffered greatly, and my blood boils when I 
think of it. The ship was bound for Philadelphia 
and my mother was sold to a farmer for a term 
of years. By him she was cruelly treated, and 
after some time she made her escape and found 
her way to Newport. Every one knows how she 
worked and struggled to live honestly, but fate 
was against her. She could scarcely keep soul 

190 


ALICE BRENTON 


and body together. People did not mind giving 
her plenty of coarse work to do, but they did mind 
giving her enough to eat and clothes to cover 
her from the cold blast, and shoes to keep the frost 
bites from her feet. At last she met Abel Pen- 
rose. Her wild beauty attracted him. He be- 
came very much interested in her. He gained 
her confidence, and poor, persecuted girl that she 
was, she told him her sad history. He was rich, 
he offered her a home, but he did not offer mar- 
riage. She accepted — what else could she do .? 
No one cared enough to advise her, no one cared 
for her soul or body. 

“For four years she had peace and plenty. 
I was born, and she loved me with all her warm 
nature, for my mother was not like me, she was 
always tender, always seeking for some one on 
whom to waste affection. She told me that often, 
when a miserable convict, or a half-starved 
servant, she would lavish untold affection upon 
a dog, or a lamb or some solitary cat. 

“Well at the end of four years, my father 
died, I suppose I may call him father, and his 
nephews and nieces lost no time in throwing 


ALICE BRENTON 


my mother and me out. She had saved a con- 
siderable part of the money he had given her, 
for he was always open-handed, and she had 
some very fine clothes, so for some time we lived 
comfortably, but economically. Then as we 
began to get poorer she began to grow weaker. 
I went to work. I did everything a young girl 
could do to earn a pittance. It was my mother’s 
struggle over again. At last she died, and all 
the devil in me came to life. What was the use 
of struggling against fate ? My grandmother 
had struggled, my mother had struggled and the 
world was against them. I would not struggle, 
I would drift with the tide and so I did. 

‘‘Perhaps you have been told of the life I lived. 
This was a gay town before the war, and sailors 
were ever free with their money. Like a fool 
I married John Bowman. He fell in love with 
me and married me to keep other men from 
having me. It makes me laugh to think of it. 
Well, I led him a life and he took to the seas, 
pirating they say. Until the war broke out I 
lived in clover. My place on Long Wharf was 
the jolliest in town, but that clout of a Lord 


192 


ALICE BRENTON 


Percy raked me out when the soldiers came, 
said I attracted them, so I had to go into retire- 
ment, but I get Dolby and his chums to help me 
out a little.’’ 

“Yours is a very sad story, Moll, and I am 
truly sorry for you. I did not know there was 
so much misery in the world, but, indeed, every 
one is not cruel. There is my father and — ” 

“Stop! Do you mean Jahleel Brenton ?” 

“Of course I do.” 

“ He not cruel ! Why it was on his farm that my 
mother froze her feet going out to milk cows 
one winter’s morning, and his daughters with 
loads and loads of shoes and clothes stored away 
for which they had no need. The time for revenge 
has come and you shall suffer, even if you are not 
of their blood. They love you now, but maybe they 
will treat you, when I send you back, as my grand- 
mother’s brother treated her. It may be the same 
story over again.” 

“Oh, Moll, what would you do with me ?” 

“Sell you to a Hessian, those fellows pay well 
for pretty girls,” hissed Moll, her teeth set and 
her eyes like burning coals. 

» 193 


CHAPTER XIV 


CuFFY groped around in the darkness for 
some time after he had left Alice sitting on the 
stone wall. Now and then he thought he heard 
noises and finally, seeing a glimmer of light 
over towards his right, he discovered that the 
noises came from the Malbone ruin. 

This opened his eyes to the fact that he had 
left the rock behind him, so the best thing he could 
do was to retrace his steps. By accident he struck 
the path, and it was not long before he discovered 
the object of his search. After groping round for 
the tree to which Nellie had been tied, he found 
to his dismay that the mare was gone. Here 
was a most deplorable misfortune. There was 
nothing for him to do but to go back to his mistress 
and then get her home as best he could. He glided 
along, guiding himself by the line of old wall, 
cautiously peering at every stone. After he had 
passed over a considerable distance he began 
to think she must have moved farther away so 


194 


ALICE BRENTON 


he kept on. At last he came to where the wall 
ended abruptly, and the perspiration began to 
stand out on his forehead, and a cold shudder 
crept over him. Back again the old slave went, 
almost crawling in order to make no noise. Once 
in a while, as if to reassure her were she in hiding, 
he softly called, 

“ Miss Alice, Miss Alice, where am you 

No welcome answer came to him and he began 
to ask, why had he left her ? He wrung his hands 
in mute agony. His dear Miss Alice, his precious 
lamb! He called her all the pet names he had 
used in her childhood, for perhaps she was 
frightened and distrustful of every sound. Surely 
she would know that none but Cuffy could utter 
those endearments. He expected every minute 
to hear her say, ‘‘Here I am, Cuffy,’’ but time 
passed on and he grew very weary with his fruit- 
less search. At last he sat down and wept, the 
old man had become as a child. It began to grow 
light for the moon, which had favored Harry 
Cranston the night before, was peeping from be- 
hind the clouds. This gave him courage and he 
again began his desperate quest. Every foot 

195 


ALICE BRENTON 


of ground along the wall and many feet on either 
side of it he traversed, and daybreak found him 
still there, moaning and calling for his beloved 
mistress. 

‘‘CufFy can nebber go back to old missus 
without Miss Alice, he just lie down and die, 
shore,” he moaned piteously. 

The camp began to stir, and all sorts of noises 
fell upon his ears. At first he paid but little 
attention to them, but at last a thought struck 
him. He would go to Lieutenant Stanley, he 
could surely help him in the search. Making 
his way to the camp lines he begged a soldier 
to let him pass to the lieutenant’s quarters, but 
the man had no intention of obliging an old 
negro and would not let him pass, neither would 
he take a message. 

CufFy was at his wit’s end, when who should 
appear but Stanley himself, looking white and 
anxious. They stared at each other, the haughty 
English officer and the poor black bondman, but 
neither thought at that moment of high or low 
degree. A common love and a common grief 
made them equals. The black man was the first 

196 


ALICE BRENTON 


to speak: “Marse Stanley, I cannot find Miss 
Alice,’’ he said. 

‘‘Nor I either, Cuffy. I have been in town 
and she is not at her home. Her mare was found 
neighing at the stable door late in the night and 
it woke the family. They are distracted with 
grief.” 

“So is pore old Cuffy, Marse Stanley.” 

“Cuffy, how is it you have been missing all 
night ^ Did you come with Miss Alice ?” 

Cuffy had no intention of telling the part Alice 
and he had played in the rescue of Cranston, 
so he said simply: 

“No, Marse Stanley, I fullered Miss Alice 
and when the fightin’ began las’ night, she come 
out ob your tent an’ we slipped away.” 

“How did you lose her 

Then Cuffy told of Alice’s fatigue and his own 
search for Nellie and his inability to find her. 

“I think you are a stupid old rascal. Why, 
in the name of all that is great, could you not 
let her stay where I placed her ? She was per- 
fectly safe,” said Stanley roughly. 

Cuffy drew himself up and a proud look darted 

197 


ALICE BRENTON 


from his deep-set eyes. He was a prince in his 
own country, he used to say, and his savage 
royalty asserted itself whenever he felt himself 
unjustly assailed. 

“Marse Stanley, I wait upon Miss Alice, she 
is my missus, an’ when she say she will go, CufFy 
hab no more to say, but go too; I hole myself 
account’ble to no one but Miss Alice and ole 
missus.” 

Stanley knew the devotion of the old man 
and wisely refrained from saying any more to 
hurt his feelings. He was beginning to under- 
stand the privilege of speech accorded to trusted 
slaves in America. He, therefore, bade the negro 
follow him as he passed on to his tent, where 
he was joined by three of his fellow officers. 

To them he had confided the loss of his sister, 
wisely withholding the particulars of her visit 
to the camp, and he now merely told them that 
Cuffy had been searching for her too. 

“I’ll tell you what I think is best to do,” said 
Major Wright. “We will offer a reward for her 
recovery safe and well. Undoubtedly some vil- 
lains have abducted her for the sake of securing 
198 


ALICE BRENTON 


one. These Americans are a low lot, many of 
them transported thieves and cut-throats, and 
the poverty which the war has brought upon 
them renders them capable of any deviltry to 
raise money.’’ 

The idea of a reward had occurred to Stanley, 
but the thought that she might have escaped 
with Cranston made him cautious. The thought 
of a sister of his daring to love an American was 
gall to his pride. If she had gone with Cranston 
he would not stir a finger to take her back, but 
there remained the doubt that she might be in 
great danger and his brotherly love prevailed, 
particularly as the other officers warmly seconded 
Major Wright. 

The officers generously contributed a large 
sum towards the reward and Stanley himself 
doubled the amount; then when General Pigot 
heard of the trouble, he offered another ten 
pounds. In all the reward summed up to ninety 
pounds sterling, all in good English gold. 

After obtaining leave from his superior officer, 
the lieutenant started a second time for town, 
accompanied by Cuffy. 


199 


ALICE BRENTON 


Mrs. Brenton had been aroused from sleep 
by the inconsiderate Chloe, who on being aroused 
by Pompey, after he had discovered Nellie at 
the stable door, had run to Alice’s room only to 
find it empty and the bed untouched. The girl 
had completely lost her wits and it was wonderful 
that she had not thrown Mrs. Brenton into con- 
vulsions, so great was her lamentation. As it was 
Mrs. Almy had her hands full attending to her. 
Then Lieutenant Stanley had come all the way 
from the fortifications, and told a wild tale of 
his sister having been at the camp and of her 
subsequent disappearance. 

The Brenton House was a scene of consterna- 
tion and confusion to which the absence of Cuffy 
added not a little, and the return of Alice’s brother 
and the old slave did not mend matters much. 
Mrs. Brenton recovered her self-possession sooner 
than one would have expected, considering the state 
of her health, and when told of the reward which 
had been subscribed, promptly made it a hundred 
pounds, only regretting that the state of her 
finances was such as to debar her from giving 
more. 


200 


ALICE BRENTON 


“It is the last I have,” she said sadly. 

Stanley demurred at taking it, but the old lady 
firmly and with dignity insisted that it was her 
duty to add her contribution to facilitate the re- 
turn of her daughter. It was prodigal in the 
extreme for her to give her last mite, and were 
it not that Stanley knew he could assist her when 
his remittance came from England, he would 
have insisted upon her retaining it. 

“Alice was all I had left of my once large 
family and she must be found,” she said, taking 
the young man’s hand. “I have always felt so 
thankful to God for sending her to me in my old 
age. All my own children left us one by one: 
my eldest son is in the royal navy; my eldest 
and my second daughters are with their husbands 
and children in Bermuda; three of my sons are 
dead; one is, I hope, with his father in Halifax 
and so also is my youngest daughter, together 
with her husband and child; so, were it not for 
the dear girl who was given to us from the sea, 
I would be lonely enough. I often have a mis- 
giving that I shall never see my husband again. 
It is nearly three years since he sailed away and 


201 


ALICE BRENTON 


I have heard from him but once, that was to say 
that they had all reached Halifax in safety, and 
whenever opportunity oflFered he hoped to send 
for Alice and me, or he would try and join us. 
It has been long and tedious waiting and I am 
nearly broken-hearted. Why should troubles fall 
so heavily on the weak and the aged r* 

“My dear Mrs. Brenton,” said Stanley, “let 
us hope for the best. Every cloud has a silver 
lining and I cannot believe that trouble will 
last forever. I sincerely feel for you, and you 
must remember that I am Alice’s brother and, 
therefore, stand to you in place of a son. Let 
me take the place and assume the responsibility 
of the sons who are far away from you.” 

The tears rolled down the delicate cheeks of 
the old lady as she said, “God bless you, my 
dear boy, your words are indeed a comfort to 
me; your strong arm and young head will indeed 
prove a support to one whose feet totter and 
whose brain is not as clear as it was in days gone 
by. Now, you must go and attend to duty and 
may the blessing of God attend you.” 

The young officer raised the withered hand 


202 


ALICE BRENTON 


to his lips and with a promise to leave nothing 
undone that could lead to the recovery of his 
sister he went out to see to the posting of the re- 
ward in various parts of the town. 

Much comment was expressed at the dis- 
appearance of a young lady of such high social 
standing as the daughter of Jahleel Brenton. 
Girls had disappeared before, since the advent 
of the army of occupation, but they were mostly 
of humble degree, and their people were too poor 
and too heart-broken and crushed to do aught 
but seek them out personally and take them home 
to seclusion. 

The offer of the reward was read with satisfac- 
tion and many a man wished he might be able 
to earn it. 

Three times that day Lieutenant Stanley went 
back and forth to town. General Pigot having 
kindly granted him leave to pass the day in search 
of his sister. On his return, late in the after- 
noon, after fruitless inquiries, he was accosted 
by a thick-set, dark man who wore ear-rings. 
It was on the bridge which spanned the Malbone 
Road, a wild, lonesome spot, with which many 


203 


ALICE BRENTON 


grewsome stories were connected, and he was 
thinking at the time of his brave young sister 
who had crossed it the night before in darkness 
and solitude to intercede for the life of her rebel 
lover. 

“ Be you Leftenant Stanley was the abrupt 
question with which he was accosted. 

“Yes, what do you want?’’ 

“I suspect there is something you want just 
now and perhaps I can help you.” 

“What do you mean ?” 

“There was a young girl carried off last night.” 

“Speak plainly, man, what do you know 
about her ?” 

“ Be you the man that hands over the reward 

“When the young lady is safely delivered to 
her friends the person who leads to her recovery 
will receive one hundred pounds sterling. The 
money is in the hands of General Pigot at this 
moment.” 

“ I know where she is.” 

“Then lead me to her, but stay, — are you sure 
you can find the young lady I seek ? Other girls 
have been carried away.” 


204 


ALICE BRENTON 


can take you to where the daughter of Jahleel 
Brenton is kept a prisoner, but you must promise 
not to tell who leads you to her.’^ 

Stanley knew it must be an abductor who 
addressed him, a thief who could catch a thief, 
but he said: 

‘‘Do so instantly, and you can rely on me.” 

“You will need to take soldiers with you, it 
would not do for you to go alone.” 

“I will get them. Come with me to the camp 
and then you must lead us to find Miss Brenton.” 

“I will stay here, Leftenailt, and wait; you will 
have to come down this hill, then I will show 
you the way. You had better take no horses 
as you will have to cross the swamp.” 

“Very well, see that you are here when I re- 
turn. I will get the soldiers.” 

Andrew, for it was none other than the ac- 
complice of Moll Bowman and Dolby, crouched 
down by the bridge and muttered to himself, 

“Fm in luck, the young fellow came along in 
good time to save me from showing myself at 
the camp. When I once get that hundred pounds 
into my clutches Fll slip out of this Colony, if 

205 


ALICE BRENTON 


I have to do so in an open boat, and then good- 
bye to Dolby and his gang. A hundred pounds 
ought to help a fellow to start in some place where 
that she-devil can’t find him. It was an unlucky 
day for me when I became one of her agents, 
ril cut loose from them all and begin over again 
honest. Fd orter have luck this time seein’ I 
get the money for savin’ the gal. I’ve got to be 
careful; if Dolby should suspect all’s up with 
me.” 

Very soon he heard the soldiers, with Stanley 
at their head, approaching. There were four 
of them, picked men, whom the general had 
bade the young officer to select on their merits, 
both for bravery and ability to keep silence. 
They eyed the miserable, dogged-looking wretch, 
who was to act as their guide, with contempt. 
No need for their officer to caution them to keep 
the details of their mission a secret, such a crea- 
ture’s life would be safe from his own kind, only 
as long as his treachery remained unknown, and 
only through his treachery could the young lady 
be saved. 

Andrew crept out from the shadow of the bridge. 
206 


ALICE BRENTON 


“I do not know that I am doing right to trust 
you/’ said Stanley. “Who knows but you will 
lead me and my men into some ambush ? But, 
understand this; if you are looking for the reward 
you will not get it until Miss Brenton is safe 
with her friends, so any foul play with me will 
put no money in your pocket. If the young 
lady is delivered from her abductors this evening 
you may call at the Brenton House an hour after 
she has entered it, and one of the officers under 
General Pigot will be there to hand you the 
money. Now lead on!” 

It was nearly dark and the man led the way 
westward, following the course of the little brook, 
which wound its way from the low hills towards 
the bay, through wet, swampy lands. He kept 
himself near the soldiers as if to use them as a 
shield from some lurking danger, but nothing 
occurred, and not a sound fell upon their ears 
except a splash now and then as one or another 
of their number made a false step into one of the 
numerous bog holes. 


207 


CHAPTER XV 


Horror and despair were both depicted in 
every line of Alice Brenton’s face as the wretched 
woman glared like a demon after announcing 
the fate in store for her. She knew that no mercy 
was to be expected from Moll Bowman and the 
thought that only one escape was open to her 
forced itself upon her mind. She had preserved 
the trusty dagger with which she had cut Harry’s 
bonds. It would serve to cut her free from a 
fate worse than death. She would keep it care- 
fully concealed and if no other help appeared 
it must do its work. As she thought, her face 
became partially calm and she sat down, saying, 
“Leave me, you can at least be kind enough 
to do that. I would rather be alone.” 

“You needn’t try to plot a way to escape. 
There’s no getting away from here, and even 
if you did get out you’d get caught most likely, 
for Dolby and some of the gang would be round. 
They don’t mean to lose sight of you, for they 

208 



“Leave me, you can at least be kind enough to do that. I 
would rather be alone. ” 



' % 

0 




^0 * 


f 










ft 


4 



ft 






f 


f 









ft 


ft 




I 




♦ 




I 


T 




« 


•ft 


ft 


1 



« 


9 



ft 







s 


I ' 

ft. 




» 



s 


< 


I 





I 



ALICE BRENTON 


expect to share the reward your fine friends will 
be offering for you/^ 

“I shall do no plotting, I shall pray for aid 
and strength. God alone can help and in Him 
I will trust.’’ 

Moll laughed. “ I used to hear just such talk 
as that when I slipped into old Styles’s meeting 
before my mother died, but it is all nonsense. 
If God helped folks why did He not help my 
grandmother when she besought him with anguish 
to release her from the power of the highwayman ^ 
Why did He not help my mother I tell you 
He had no notion of helping them, and He has 
no notion of helping you. The only help one gets 
is from the devil, and he only helps us to revenge. 
That’s all. I mean to keep in his good graces 
until I pay back all the grudge I owe to those who 
made my mother and her mother suffer. I 
have saved a trifle, and will get more, and then 
I will go to England and find my high-born 
relatives. Then let God help them. I will 
pay with interest what that high-handed great- 
uncle of mine dealt out to my mother. Perhaps 
some descendants of his are living, maybe that 

209 


14 


ALICE BRENTON 


proud daughter of his, — oh, if I could but wring 
her heart! It would be worth an eternity in hell 
to have her know who I am and see a daughter 
of hers brought low. Baron Edgemoor of West- 
moreland brought down a blasting curse upon 
his house when he sent my mother into exile.” 

Alice became very pale and the room seemed 
to spin before her eyes. 

‘‘Won’t you leave me she asked faintly. 

Moll looked at her sneeringly and said, 

“You’re very much overcome, to be sure; well 
I’ll leave you. Good day,” and she flung herself 
out of the room, locking the door after her. 

Poor Alice found her way to the bed and lay 
down. She was as one stunned. For a long 
while she lay almost in a faint, indeed it was 
nearly noon before her mind became clear. Then 
she began to think over the terrible announcement 
which Moll had unwittingly made to her. How 
often had her brother told her of Castle Edgemoor 
in Westmoreland, of the stately baron and 
baroness their grandparents, and how she had 
planned to go with him and see that lordly pile, 
the early home of her mother, and receive a cordial 


210 


ALICE BRENTON 


greeting from the present baron, her uncle; but 
now all was over. The curse had fallen, and 
Moll, unknown to herself, was the chief agent in 
carrying it out. Surely the devil helped her 
towards her revenge. 

She determined, however, that the woman 
should not know from her the relationship existing 
between them. That triumph she would deny her. 

Added to all her previous suffering this blow 
was terribly crushing. She rehearsed in her 
mind Moll’s lurid recital of her grandmoth- 
er’s wrongs. That grandmother was her grand- 
father’s sister. Perhaps she had lived at Castle 
Edgemoor, just as her own mother and her sister, 
Beatrice, had done and it must have been from 
its door the poor, wronged creature had been 
driven. That which pained her most was the 
story of the two girls in London, one rich, proud, 
protected, scorning the poor waif of the street, 
and being instrumental in driving her to a con- 
vict’s fate That proud girl must have been her 
own mother. She thought of the relentlessness 
of the fate that drove one cousin to a nameless 
grave on the shore where the other was serving 


2II 


ALICE BRENTON 


out a wretched bondage, and enduring foul wrongs; 
and now, she, the innocent offspring of the authors 
of those wrongs, was in the power of the Nemesis 
fated to avenge them. 

Moll brought her a lunch of corn-cakes, some 
fresh fish, and a tea made from steeped herbs. 
She could not eat, and the woman grumblingly 
took the food away. 

During the long afternoon she became restless. 
Her cheeks burned and her eyes took on a glassy 
look. Often she examined the little dagger and 
tested its sharpness. It was a deadly-looking 
weapon in spite of its beauty, and its history 
evidently was a tragic one as that of a dagger 
usually is. One of the Brentons, a sea captain, 
had taken it from an Algerian pirate whom he 
had overcome, and it had probably drawn the 
heart’s blood of many a human during its existence, 
for it was of ancient Oriental workmanship. 

Alice was nerving herself to save her honor 
by its deadly power if no help arrived. Somehow 
she could not help feeling that the hope that some 
one would come and rescue her would be realized. 

Towards evening, she heard Moll bustling 


212 


ALICE BRENTON 


about briskly in the outer room, which led her to 
surmise that she must have been out all the after- 
noon. Surely she expected some one. Soon 
the woman entered and brought her food. This 
time Alice ate one of the com-cakes and asked 
for water instead of the nauseous herb tea. This 
Moll graciously brought. 

“We are to have company to-night,’’ she said, 
and immediately left the room. 

Darkness was creeping on and with it a mist 
from the sea. Alice could hear the splash of the 
waves on the shore below the hut and it sounded 
lonesome in the extreme. Moll had not brought 
her a light, neither did she want one. Her heart 
beat furiously; how was all this misery going to 
end ? Presently without being preceded by the 
slightest sound, a knock, loud and decided, was 
heard on the outer door. She listened, and 
Moll’s voice said, “Who’s there ?” 

Clear and distinct came the words, 

“Open in the name of the King.” 

Alice’s heart stood still for an instant, then the 
furious beating went on; that voice! 

Again a thundering knock, as if given by the 

213 


ALICE BRENTON 


butt end of a musket, made the old house shake. 

“I say, open in the name of the King.” 

“Who are you asked Moll. 

For answer the door crashed in; a confused 
sound of feet, a woman’s scream, wild and savage 
as that of a wild cat, and some one tried the door 
of her room. She clutched the dagger, but with 
a presentiment that she would not need to use it. 

“Alice, are you in there Answer. It is I, 
Alfred, who has come to save you.” 

“Yes, yes, Alfred, I am in here. Oh, save me!” 

“Give me the key, woman. Never mind, this 
will do,” and strong forms were thrust against 
the door and it gave way. 

“Oh, Alfred, my brother,” and in an instant 
she lay senseless in his arms. 

While the lieutenant and one of his men were 
forcing the door leading to the room where Alice 
was imprisoned the other three men guarded 
the outer door and windows to prevent Moll’s 
escape, but the woman had been in too many 
raids not to have a ruse at hand by which she might 
outwit them. 

Almost instantly the light was extinguished 


214 


ALICE BRENTON 


and, so long had it taken the party to cross the 
swamp, it had become very dark. When another 
light had been struck and the confusion and 
excitement upon finding the girl was over, it was 
found that the woman had disappeared. 

‘‘Do not waste time in searching for her,” 
said Stanley, “only we must guard against an 
attack from her accomplices. The lady has 
fainted and we must do our best to revive her and 
get her out of this hellish place.” 

The moist night air brought back the girl’s 
senses as soon as she was carried from the house 
by her brother. Then he coaxed her to swallow 
a little spirits from his flask and this gave her 
strength to walk. 

“ Take me away, Alfred. I shall die if I remain 
another moment near this dreadful place. Where 
is Moll Bowman ? I do not see her.” 

“She has escaped, dear, but there is no fear 
of her now, rest assured. You are under the pro- 
tection of your brother and four officers of the 
King — but we will lose no time in getting you 
home for they are in a dreadful way at the Brenton 
House concerning you.” 


215 


ALICE BRENTON 


Then turning to his men, he said, “It seems 
to me there ought to be a nearer way of reaching 
town than by crossing that swamp again.” 

“Yes, Lieutenant,” answered one of the men, 
“by following the shore, it is but a short distance 
to the old fort on the Point, once used by the 
Americans, and after passing that you will soon 
come to a street that will lead directly to the town.” 

“I thought so; you, Comston, will come with 
me, and the others will cross the swamp and get 
to the fortifications on the hill as soon as possible. 
Bates, I will ask you to hand this without delay 
to General Pigot and await his orders.” 

As Stanley spoke, he took from his pocket a 
card, upon which he pencilled a few words, and 
handed it to the man. Then the three soldiers 
saluted and disappeared and the young officer 
led his sister homeward. Very few words were 
spoken by the young people. Alice was very 
much exhausted and frequently her brother 
insisted that either he or the soldier should carry 
her, but she was firm in her determination to walk 
the interminably long distance. 

Great was the joy at the Brenton House when 

216 i 


ALICE BRENTON 


Alice returned. Mrs. Almy gave orders that the 
best food the house afforded should be served 
in the dining-room and that an equally good 
repast should be set before the private who had 
acted as guide. The brother and sister, however, 
felt in no mood for eating and drinking, the latter 
being too exhausted by her mental strain and 
long walk to care for aught but to lie down beside 
Mrs. Brenton and hold the old lady’s hand in 
a tender clasp. 

The lieutenant explained to Mrs. Almy the 
particulars of his sister’s rescue and asked to be 
allowed to remain until the reward should arrive 
from General Pigot and he should have handed 
it to the wretch who had given information. 

It was not long before an officer from the camp 
arrived bringing with him the hundred pounds. 
He had come attended by two privates, who were 
sent out to the kitchen to share the bounty prepared 
so lavishly for their fellow soldier, and the two 
officers were left to their wine in the dining-room. 

Stanley had told Cuffy to keep on the watch 
for the wretch with the ear-rings, and the old 
man every now and then peered out of a window 


217 


ALICE BRENTON 


into the darkness, listening for every footstep. 
Once he thought he saw two shadows flit across 
the wall of the summer kitchen where the light 
struck from Mrs. Brenton’s room but he forced 
himself to think he was mistaken. 

The next time he peered out a face appeared 
before him only about a foot from the window. 
There was no light in the room where he was 
and he knew his own black face was not dis- 
cernible, so he gave a second look. This time 
the face was turned sidewise and Cuffy recognized 
the form described by the lieutenant. He lost 
no time in reporting his discovery, and Stanley 
immediately went to the window indicated. 
Sure enough, there stood Andrew. It was but 
the work of an instant to throw up the sash and 
whistle. 

“ Come to the front door and I will let you in,” 
he said. 

A form came close to the window, and said, 
“I dasn’t, Dolby and Ben are watching me.” 

“ Oh, the devil ! Get in through the window, 
then.” 

The man did as he was told and the window 
218 


ALICE BRENTON 


was closed and barred. Then Stanley led the 
way to the dining-room where the money was 
counted out to him. 

‘‘Now you can go,” the young officer said. 
The wretch began to tremble. 

“Dolby and Ben are out there watching,” 
he said, “they found out somehow that I showed 
you the way. I guess Moll told them for she 
ran right agin me as she bolted out of her shanty 
when you were smashing the door in, and she 
knowed me, never fear, although she never said 
a word, but made straight for town. I seed them 
follering me as I walked up and down waitin’ for 
some one to let me in. They’ll kill me sure.” 

A feeling akin to pity made the young man 
say to his brother officer, “I suppose we can 
spare a couple of men to see him safely away.” 

“Certainly, I was just thinking of that,” said 
the other. 

The result was that Andrew slipped out between 
two soldiers, and a couple of skulking forms 
found their way to a side street, leaving the 
neighborhood of the Brenton House free from 
their presence. 


219 


ALICE BRENTON 


The wretched informer, after his guardians had 
left him, hurried down one of the wharves and 
listened at the window of a tumbledown shanty 
near the water’s edge. The sound of voices within 
fell upon his ears. Amid oaths and imprecations 
he heard what froze the blood in his veins. It 
was the voice of Moll Bowman. He could not go 
in there, certainly, so he glided along to the end 
of the wharf where everything was quiet. A 
boat, a dory-looking craft, lay moored alongside. 
If he could secure a pair of oars he would take 
that boat and make for the open sea. Perhaps 
he might be fortunate enough to get picked up 
by one of the privateers. Anything would be 
better than remaining near his late companions 
in crime. He knew oars were kept in a certain 
ship chandler’s shop farther up the wharf so, 
still clutching tightly the bag which held his hun- 
dred pounds, he crept softly along towards it, 
almost holding his breath as he went. It was 
fortunate for him that he moved silently for two 
figures were plainly discernible standing by the 
window where he had stood listening a few minutes 
before. With quaking knees and faltering steps 


220 


ALICE BRENTON 


he came to the chandler’s shop. The owner 
had never wasted time or money in keeping his 
windows secured and it was only the work of a 
few minutes to enter and find the oars. The 
greatest difficulty lay in getting back to the boat. 
If his two enemies would only enter the old 
house how easy it would be for him to steal past, 
and then, freedom! 

Dolby and Ben, however, had no intention of 
entering a house that night and as. Andrew tiptoed 
down one side of the narrow way he suddenly 
became aware of their presence on the other side. 

Unfortunately the oars rubbed together as 
they lay across his shoulder, making a slight noise. 
The two men on the other side of the way pricked 
up their ears. Dolby grasped Ben by the shoulder 
and they both stood still. Fear lent wings to 
the feet of Andrew and he started on a run. The 
others followed. The dory lay peacefully moored 
at the end of the wharf, and Andrew dropped the 
oars into it and began to unfasten the rope. 

“By all the fiends in hell, it’s him!” he heard 
the voice 6f Dolby exclaim and the two faces 
peered over the edge. Would the knife ever 


221 


ALICE BRENTON 


do its work ? A dull thud, and the boat tipped 
a little to one side, some one had jumped in and 
the next instant a hand clutched his throat. 

“Son of Satan, you’d get olF with the reward, 
would you ? Quick, Ben, help me throttle him !” 

Another lurch was given to the boat and another 
pair of hands helped with the deadly work. The 
poor wretch struggled with desperation and 
essayed to cry for help, but the pressure on his 
chest and throat only became stronger. 

“No use yelling, your time’s come and you’re 
bound for Davy Jones’ locker, you damned 
thieving sneak. We suspected you all day with 
your slinking off alone, and Moll saw you with 
the Red-coats, so if you have the reward we’ll 
take it and send you to hell.” 

Dolby, as he spoke, drew forth a murderous- 
looking knife and stabbed the half-strangled 
wretch three or four times with demoniacal 
strength. Then with Ben’s help he searched 
for the money, which was readily found. 

“Heave him overboard. There he goes!” 

A dull splash was heard and the body of the 
miserable victim struck the dark water. 


222 


ALICE BRENTON 


“No time to be lost, let’s take the boat and put 
many a mile between us and Newport town to- 
night,” said Dolby. 

“What about Moll? We must divide the 
money with her.” 

“To the devil with Moll! She can take care 
of herself.” 

Ben, as was his wont, gave in to Dolby who was 
the ruling spirit among his associates, when Moll 
was not present, and muffling the oars with the 
handkerchiefs from their necks they silently 
rowed out over the dark water of the harbor. 


CHAPTER XVI 


The days which followed were dreary ones 
for Alice Brenton. Her mother was fast sinking 
for the excitement of the girl’s disappearance 
told on the old lady now that the danger was past, 
and this was augmented by her anxiety concerning 
her husband. Alice scarcely left her side. There 
were two reasons for keeping her indoors, a sincere 
love for Mrs. Brenton and a fear of going out. 
She did not know of the sudden disappearance 
of her abductors, and the dread of seeing the 
scarred face of Dolby or either of the others 
kept her constantly indoors. Her brother was 
on duty at the hill all the time, for there were 
grave apprehensions on the part of the British 
on account of the recent French alliance, and she 
had no trusty escort to take her out on horseback. 

Sometimes her friend Peggy ran down to 
cheer her up and hear her relate over and over 
again the story of her adventures. To Peggy, and 
to Peggy alone, she confided the part she took 


224 


ALICE BRENTON 


in the escape of Harry Cranston, and the high- 
strung, patriotic girl became wild with enthusiasm 
over the heroism of her gentle young friend; but 
the part relating to Moll Bowman’s infamous 
designs made Peggy turn pale and always after the 
two girls had talked about that woman and her 
three villainous accomplices she insisted that 
CufFy should see her home in safety. 

The month of July dragged on painfully. 
The people of the town were watched incessantly 
by the hated Hessian soldiers by order of the 
commander of the royal forces. This was to 
guard against communication with the Continental 
army, but in spite of all vigilance, boats passed 
from the mainland and from island to island in 
the bay directly under the bows of the British 
warships and daring privateers ran the blockade, 
doing much damage to the ships and then darting 
quickly away. Food was scarce, and money scarcer. 
Mrs. Brenton would have found herself reduced 
to great inconvenience were it not for timely 
assistance extended by Lieutenant Stanley. As 
soon as his private remittance came from England 
he lost no time in sharing it with his sister and her 


225 


ALICE BRENTON 


adopted mother so that they were enabled to 
live fairly well, considering the times, and in many 
cases found themselves in a way to render assistance 
to families worse off than themselves. 

Re-enforcements were constantly arriving for 
the British, for it was understood that an attempt 
would be made by the Americans and French 
to drive them from Rhode Island. There were 
many thousands of soldiers now on the devoted 
island and martial law prevailed. In spite of 
all this a boy one day brought Alice a letter. She 
was sitting by the window breathing in the fresh 
morning air, which she dared not go out to get, 
when a small, tattered object with a pinched and 
old-looking face approached. There was some- 
thing pathetic in the large, hollow eyes and the 
thin lips that appealed to her and she involuntarily 
smiled encouragingly at him. 

“Be you Miss Bren ton V* he asked. 

“Yes, do you want anything of me 

“I thought you was,’' he said, ignoring her 
question. 

Alice could not help smiling again as he stood 
there gazing at her. 


226 


ALICE BRENTON 


‘'What made you think so?” she asked. 

“Because you smiled and looked kinder good 
and you’re pretty and has brown eyes.” 

“That’s an odd reason. Has any one been 
telling you about a Miss Brenton who was pretty 
and had brown eyes ?” 

“Yes, a young man.” 

“Oh, one of the officers, I suppose.” 

“Yes, miss, an officer, but he ain’t out at the 
Britishers’ camp, he’s with General Sullivan, but 
I won’t tell where,” said the boy in a whisper. 

Alice’s face beamed and she told the boy to 
go round to a side door where she would meet him. 

“Now, boy, tell me who that officer is and all 
about him. You need not be afraid, I can keep 
a secret. How is he, and is he safe she said 
all in one breath. 

“It is Colonel Cranston on General Sullivan’s 
staff, and he gin me money enough to keep my 
mother and little sisters for many a long day just 
to carry this bit of a letter to Miss Brenton, the 
young lady with a beautiful face and brown eyes, 
and I would find her at the Brenton House in 
Newport.” 


227 


ALICE BRENTON 


“Give me the letter, quick! Oh, you dear little 
fellow, how far did you come, and did you walk 
“I came from Tiverton, and I walked part 
of the way and got a lift in a cart twice, and then 
up on the Middletown shore I fell in with another 
fellow about my size, and we took a boat that a 
couple of soldiers left while they went foraging, 
and rowed down to Newport. We landed over 
by the Point and here I be.” 

“You must be hungry. Come with me and Aunt 
Cassie will stuff you while I read my letter; can 
you take an answer back 

“Yes, if I don’t get nabbed first, but the soldiers 
don’t bother much about such as me.” 

Alice led him to the summer kitchen, first 
cautioning him to say nothing about his having 
come from Tiverton and on no account to speak 
of the letter. The boy laughed as he said, 

“I can hold my tongue. Colonel Cranston 
knows that or he would not have sent me.” 

Alice flew to her room and broke the seal of her 
letter. Every word was precious as gold to her. 

“My dearest Alice: I have at last found a 
messenger to take to you a few words, written 

228 


ALICE BRENTON 


in the midst of camp life. Since my wonderful 
escape from death I have tried many times to 
communicate with you, but I found no one whom 
I could trust to penetrate through the lines, until 
I came across the bearer of this. He is the 
shrewdest and bravest little fellow I have ever 
met and you can safely rely upon him. I cannot 
imagine how you, my dear love, happened to be 
on hand at the right moment when my life hung 
by a thread, but I hope to hear it all from your 
own sweet lips at some not far distant day. You 
cannot imagine the anguish of my heart and mind 
when I thought I should never again see my 
dearest love in this life, and added to that was the 
greater anguish, caused by the words of the 
miserable wretch who betrayed me, but all that 
was dispelled when I found I owed my life and 
liberty to my sweetest girl, who was not only 
true but brave. Sometime this war will be over 
and then, if life is spared to us, and I feel that 
it will be, I hope to claim my dear one and devote 
to her the life she saved. 

Your own true lover, 

Harry Cranston.” 


229 


ALICE BRENTON 


The short, carefully worded letter was read 
by Alice over and over again. Harry safe, that 
was enough to compensate for all she had suffered 
physically and mentally. 

Taking pen and paper she composed herself 
with great effort to write her answer. It took an 
interminably long time to decide upon the exact 
words she should use. At last she wrote: 

Dear Harry: Your letter arrived safely by 
the hand of your trusty messenger. He is now 
in the summer kitchen, where Aunt Cassie is 
feeding him, for I think he was in sore need of food. 

‘H am glad that you are safe and well. I was 
very sad and broken-hearted when I thought 
your life was in danger and I am glad I did 
what I did. When the war is over we must 
meet and I will tell you all about it. I think 
I know who informed on you. It was a very 
bad man and he and his accomplices tried to do 
harm to me, but I escaped them. It is dread- 
ful here in town now, and I do not see our friends 
often. Some of them went away two years 
ago and I think they must be better off than we 
are. Peggy and her father are here and she is 


ALICE BRENTON 


a great comfort to me. Dr. Hunter died a little 
while back. He returned after the British arrived, 
and went to work attending the sick. He was 
such a good man and his wife and children will 
miss him sorely. He died of a fever he caught 
from a soldier he was caring for. We have only 
heard from father once since he went away and 
we have grave fears that he may be dead. Mother 
is very poorly and pines for him all the time. 

‘‘I am glad I saved you. I should have died 
if I had not made the attempt, but I must close 
now and let the boy go. I shall pray all day that 
he may be able to get back to you in safety. 

Your own love, 

Alice Brenton.” 

In her excitement, Alice forgot all about the 
most important news she could possibly tell her 
lover, namely, the discovery that Alfred Stanley 
was her brother. 

Finding the boy, Alice confided the letter to 
his charge with many a caution. Then she slipped 
into his hand a few pieces of money and bade 
him Godspeed upon his journey. He seemed 
such a little fellow to venture through the lines 


231 


ALICE BRENTON 


dividing the two armies and to think that he had 
brought her so much happiness. She bent down 
and kissed the little thin, pinched face and asked 
his name. 

“Ezra Church,’’ he answered. 

“You are a little hero, Ezra.” 

“All the Churches were heroes,” answered the 
boy. “I hain’t done nothin’ of account. A Church 
led the search for King Philip; he was a hero. 
It ain’t much to carry letters and sorter sneak 
round to get from one place to another. Well I 
must be goin’. Good-bye, Miss Brenton.” 

“Good-bye, Ezra, I shall never forget you.” 

She watched the little ragged figure until it 
had passed out of sight and then went back to her 
accustomed duties with a lighter and happier 
heart. 

Surprises, like everything else, come all together, 
and that afternoon an officer in the uniform 
of the Royal Navy was seen walking up the drive 
leading to the Brenton House. Old CufFy was 
the first to recognize him : 

“Young Marse Jahleel, de Lord be praised!” 
he exclaimed. 


232 


ALICE BRENTON 


It was indeed Mr. Brenton’s eldest son, now a 
captain in his Majesty’s service, whose ship had 
been ordered to Newport among the many sent 
to re-enforce the British. He was met with a 
hearty greeting from the whole household, but 
the one most affected was his mother. The sight 
of one of her own children was an unlooked-for 
joy to her. Better than all, he brought tidings 
of the exiles in Halifax. A letter had reached 
him at New York, from whence he had just come, 
written by his father’s hand only two months 
before. In it Mr. Brenton stated that he had 
repeatedly written to his wife, imploring her to 
join him as soon as her health permitted, and 
even set a time for her and Alice to set out, giving 
all the directions necessary for the journey, but 
he had never received a line in answer and he 
feared that death had claimed her. As for him- 
self, he was so crippled from gout that he was 
closely confined to the house. His son-in-law. 
Dr. Halliburton, had settled down to practice 
and was doing fairly well, but they, one and all, 
pined for the old home. 

If Captain Brenton brought news he was also 

233 


ALICE BRENTON 


regaled with much, for he had not been in Newport 
for many years. The most interesting news of 
all was that of the discovery of Alice’s parentage, 
and he heartily congratulated her on having found 
herself a member of one of the best families in 
England. Then taking her hand, he said, “When 
in London, I met a Baron Edgemoor, who must 
have been your mother’s brother. I liked him very 
much, little thinking that my pet sister was his 
niece. You are fortunate in having him for an 
uncle, not but what we are both sorry to lose our 
little seadSird, are we not, mother?’ 

“We are not to lose our Alice while I live,” 
the old lady said. “She has promised to stay 
with me and be my own dear daughter as long 
as God leaves me in the world.” 

“Yes, Brother Jahleel,” said Alice, “I am her 
daughter still and your little sister if you will have 
me.” 

“ Indeed, will I not have you ? You may 
depend on the old salt; but it won’t be long before 
some gay young fellow will come along and 
ask you to sail in his ship; then good-bye to the 
old brother and the new one, too.” 


234 


ALICE BRENTON 


Alice smiled, but very sadly, and a deep flush 
overspread her face, which was not unnoticed 
by the captain. He laughed and chucked her 
under the chin, saying, 

‘‘Some of the officers have been round stealing 
hearts. Til be bound. Well, I hope the fellow who 
wins our Alice will be worthy of her.’’ 

He found no time to say more, for Mrs. Almy, 
in spite of the scarcity of food and money, had 
managed to spread a tolerably tempting repast 
in the dining-room. Perhaps Cuffy had taken 
a few points from Mr. Champlin’s Sam and 
helped himself to the hidden stores of the well-to- 
do Tories, but more than likely the lady herself 
had friends among the patriotic farmers of the 
island who were obliged to bring to town their 
produce for the use of the soldiery, and at the 
same time smuggled much to their friends. To 
this repast Mrs. Almy now called the family. 

The captain talked upon the state of affairs 
in the Colonies. Being an officer in the British 
navy and a strict royalist he had much to say against 
the patriots, and advocated the most stringent 
methods towards bringing about submission. 

235 


ALICE BRENTON 


“I used to think so, too,” said his mother, 
“but during the last three years things have ap- 
peared differently to me; and having lived two 
years with an army of occupation in the town, 
and witnessed the heroic stand made by the 
Americans, I have come to think that it is useless 
to coerce a free people.” 

“They are stubborn, mother, that is all, and 
as for being free, what can be freer than to live 
under the glorious banner of old England ?” 

“I should be satisfied to live under the British 
flag myself, but I cannot think and act for others. 
We have many good people among the rebels.” 

“Oh, no doubt. Who are some of them.? 
Which side did the Cranstons take .? There were 
some young fellows among them, I think.” 

“They all took the side of the Americans. 
William Cranston died at the beginning of the 
war, his two elder sons, William and Robert, 
entered the navy and Harry, the youngest, is in 
the Continental army.” 

“That’s too bad, they were fine boys as I 
remember them. Pity that they did not choose 
the right side.” 


236 


ALICE BRENTON 


‘'They think that they are on the right side, 
my son, and I sincerely hope your ship will never 
engage in action with one that is manned by 
Newport boys. There are a great many of them 
in the new navy.” 

“Perhaps the war will be over before it comes 
to another battle on the sea. A very large force 
is being concentrated in Rhode Island and with 
our successes in the South and middle Colonies 
it cannot last much longer unless the French 
alliance amounts to more than we anticipate. The 
navy does not think much of it.” 

“ But the army does,” said Alice. “They are on 
the lookout night and day for an attack; my 
brother scarcely ever comes to see us now, and as 
for Colonel Knox, he has not been here for an 
age.” 

“Well, we are prepared for the frog eaters, if 
they arrive; we have now seven frigates and 
expect more, so rest assured, little sister, there 
is no cause for alarm. It would take a larger fleet 
than King Louis is likely to send to make much 
difference with the forces of old England.” 

At that moment Cuffy entered and announced 


237 


ALICE BRENTON 


Colonel Wanton. The old gentleman had heard 
of the arrival of the Cerberus, Captain Brenton’s 
ship, and hastened to pay his respects to the son 
of his life-long friend. The greeting was hearty 
on both sides, much regret being expressed for 
the absence of the master of the house. 

‘‘I tell you. Captain, it was a damned shame 
to make your father leave town, but the truth 
of the matter was, he was too outspoken and helped 
the King’s party too openly. If he had kept a 
silent tongue and used a little more caution he 
might have been here with us to-day.” 

‘‘My father was always outspoken and honest, 
but I certainly wish he had exercised a little more 
caution while the rebels were in authority. It 
would have saved my mother much trouble and 
anxiety; but tell me, what do the people here, 
I mean the loyalists, think of this much-talked-of 
French alliance 

“We don’t think much of it. The French 
government want to have a finger in the pie, so 
they made a great bluster about an alliance with 
England’s rebellious Colonies. They may send 
over a few troops, but it won’t amount to much.” 

238 


ALICE BRENTON 


The two men talked for a long time until the 
lengthening shadows reminded the captain that 
he must go to his ship and he was obliged to take 
a rather abrupt leave of Colonel Wanton and also 
of his mother and sister. 

‘'Keep up a stout heart, little Alice,’’ he said, 
as he kissed her. “ My brave ship guards the harbor 
entrance and I intend that she shall be as trusty 
as the faithful guardian whose name she bears, 
so don’t look gloomy, put on a smile for some 
gallant officer who is sure to come.” 


239 


CHAPTER XVII 


The next day was hot and sultry. There 
was scarcely breeze enough to stir a leaf and Alice 
sat by one of the upper windows vainly trying 
to catch a faint movement of air from the water. 

Before her lay the harbor with four British 
frigates anchored in roadstead and the frowning 
guns of the redoubts pointing towards the town. 
The water was as smooth as glass, undisturbed 
by either sail or oar. An ominous stillness hung 
over the town for no one knew what was going 
to happen next. 

In spite of Captain Brenton’s assurance Alice 
knew that the Americans, who had held out so 
long, were not going to give up without a blow. 
Peggy had been in that morning early and whispered 
that great things might be expected soon, but 
Peggy was always full of mysteries. Dear, bright, 
loving Peggy, how Alice wished she could feel 
as light-hearted, but there was this difference: 
Peggy was an American born, her people were 


240 


ALICE BRENTON 


all patriots and she was one with them, while 
Alice was an English girl and all her kin were 
royalists, only Harry, whom she loved, was in 
the Continental army. 

She felt an oppression for which she could 
not account, and a sort of nervous apprehension 
seized her. 

Just then the clatter of a horse’s hoofs fell upon 
her ear and the next moment her brother appeared 
galloping up the drive, followed by two orderlies. 
She went down stairs to meet him, but not with 
her usual alacrity. As she met him in the hall 
something in his face made her start and turn 
pale. His words fell icily upon her ear as he said : 

'‘So, in finding a sister I found a traitor to her 
King and country. Well for you, my lady, that 
it was I who intercepted this letter last night, 
or you would find yourself a prisoner this morning.” 

She recognized her own handwriting and knew 
it was the letter she had intrusted to the boy 
for Harry Cranston. 

“It is my letter, give it to me,” she said. 

“No, I hold this letter as evidence, in your 
own writing, that you set the rebel spy, Harry 


16 


241 


ALICE BRENTON 


Cranston, free. For a man the penalty would 
be death.” 

And for a woman, what 

“Disgrace.” 

“I do not see it in that way. It is no disgrace 
for a woman to save a life.” 

“It is, to save the life of a spy. Had I known 
you had done that dastardly deed I never would 
have moved a finger to get you from that she- 
deviFs clutches. You took care you never told 
me what you did.” 

“Why should I tell you ^ You would not have 
understood a woman’s motive.” 

“Fm afraid not. Tell me, how did you free the 
rascal .^” 

“I freed Harry Cranston by cutting his ropes 
with my dagger. CufFy found him and led me 
to him and I am glad I did it.” 

“That negro shall be whipped.” 

“CufFy whipped ? Never! You dare not whip 
one of Mr. Brenton’s servants.” 

“Who is to interfere with the orders of one 
of his Majesty’s officers V* 

“ I am. CufFy is a slave, and only to his master 


242 


ALICE BRENTON 


is he accountable and I am his master’s daughter. 
You shall not touch him.” 

‘‘Never fear, I shall not lay a hand on him. 
My men can do that just as they laid hands on 
that wretched specimen of a messenger of yours.V 

“That little lad 

“Yes, that little imp, he had more obstinacy 
than ten men.” 

“You did not have that little boy whipped .?” 

“It was the only way to reach him and even 
then we got nothing out of him but the letter, 
which we obtained without difficulty.” 

Alice burst into tears. 

“Poor little Ezra, he had nothing to tell. He 
merely carried a message from Harry Cranston 
to earn some money to keep his mother and little 
sisters from starving, and your great, brutal 
soldiers whipped him. So that is British chivalry! 
rd rather be a spy like Harry Cranston than to 
be a beater of a little, half-starved child. I wish 
I was not your sister. I wish I was not related 
to you, nor to any one of the Edgemoor family. 
There is something cruel and brutal about them 
all; no wonder Moll Bowman has no mercy, 

H3 


ALICE BRENTON 


She comes rightly by her traits. They have 
descended to her as well as to you.” 

“What do you mean, Alice ? Why do you couple 
Moll Bowman with me 

“ Because she is one of your own second cousins.” 

“Nonsense, you are going crazy.” 

“No, Tm not, it’s the truth. She told me her 
history, and her mother and our mother were 
cousins. I did not mean to tell you or any one 
of that dreadful relationship, for she does not 
suspect it herself, but you have acted so much 
like her and so like our cruel grandfather that it 
just came out and now you have it.” 

Alfred Stanley stood like one dazed. 

“I wish you would explain,” he at length said. 

“Come into the drawing-room and after I 
have locked all the doors I will tell it to you. 
You do not deserve so much consideration, 
but I will tell it to you just to let you see that I 
do not feel myself at all elated at discovering 
that we are descended from the Edgemoor family. 
I would much rather have remained unknown 
and have been nothing more than Jahleel Bren- 
ton’s adopted daughter.” 


244 


ALICE BRENTON 


She led the way into the drawing-room and after 
locking the doors to guard against interruption, 
she told Moll Bowman’s dreadful story. 

Alfred sat with his head in his hands. It was 
a terrible blow to his family pride to hear 
that recital of a woman’s wrongs, yea, the 
wrongs of three women, and to feel that it had 
lain in the power of his own grandfather to have 
prevented it all. He could find excuses for the 
part his mother had taken, for she was but a 
young girl at that time and most likely was 
frightened by the wild-looking girl who spoke 
to her, and implicitly trusted in her father; and 
that father was the grandparent whom he had 
been taught to love and honor in his childhood. 

Alice stood looking at him, her brown eyes 
flashing, her form erect and scorn depicted in 
her whole manner. 

‘'Don’t you think we are a disreputable lot 
from beginning to end ? Neither the male nor 
the female branch of the Edgemoors has much 
to boast of. On one side stand a beater of a 
helpless child, and the accomplice of a spy; on 
the other side stands Moll Bowman.” 


245 


ALICE BRENTON 


“Alice, we cannot help what our ancestors 
did, nor what a relative does; we must look to 
ourselves/’ 

“That’s what I’m doing; I did what I thought 
was right and best when I cut the bonds which 
bound Harry Cranston and I am thankful he got 
off safe and well.” 

“Let us drop the subject of this Cranston. 
You seem to think of nothing else. He is safe 
with his own army at present, so let him rest. 
I hope you may never see his face again.” 

“And I hope and pray that I shall,” said Alice 
defiantly. 

Alfred made a move of impatience: “You 
are incorrigible, Alice, and I shall not allow it. 
You are my sister and I am your legal guardian, 
so I expressly forbid your having any more to do 
with these rebels and traitors; only upon your 
strict obedience will I forgive the part you have 
played in this Cranston affair. Fortunately no 
one knows it but myself.” 

Alice shrugged her shoulders; her brother might 
forbid as much as he pleased and she would obey 
as long as a certain rebel did not appear. She 

246 


ALICE BRENTON 


felt that it was useless to defy him longer and she 
had in mind the safety of Cuffy and little Ezra 
Church. 

“ Cuffy knows it all, and if you ill-treat him in 
any way he will tell the reason, I am sure. You 
know the negroes are not gifted with very discreet 
tongues. He keeps quiet now only because I 
have entreated him to do so.” 

“Oh, bother Cuffy! You make more fuss over 
those black servants of yours than we do over 
the best of our white ones in England.” 

“The Americans have hearts, you must know, 
so I will humble myself enough to beg you to let 
Cuffy alone, and if you have that poor little lad 
in custody please let him go. He came for no 
other purpose than to bring me a letter and to 
take one back. He is such a brave little fellow 
and so devoted. He comes of good old war-like 
stock, being a descendant of fighters in King 
Philip’s war, so you will let him go, will you not .?” 

“That story you have told me about Moll 
Bowman has taken much of the anger out of me. 
It is plain that no one knows how far headstrong 
passions may lead one, so as all the harm that could 

247 


ALICE BRENTON 


be done has been done, I will do as you ask me/’ 
'‘Thank you, you are my own true brother 
again and I ask your pardon for saying the provok- 
ing things I said to you.” 

"My pardon is readily granted, for in these 
times of war, when life is so uncertain, it behooves 
us to live in harmony with one another. I came 
here angry enough, and you met me in the same 
mood, but we will part as a brother and sister 
should. Give my compliments to Mrs. Brenton 
as I cannot wait to pay my respects in person.” 

"You must wait long enough to take some 
refreshment,” said Alice, as she unlocked the door. 

"No, not a moment longer, I have already 
overstepped my time. Here is your letter, you 
had better destroy it.” 

"Oh, Alfred, won’t you send it by little Ezra 
"You foolish child! What! Send that letter 
with your acknowledgment of your complicity 
in the crime of treason! No, indeed, I have 
given in to you too much already, but will never 
go as far as that, so good-bye. Give me one sisterly 
kiss, who knows what may happen before we meet 
again : 


248 


ALICE BRENTON 


Alice saw him ride away, her eyes bedimmed 
with tears. Then she said to herself, “Little 
Ezra will tell Harry that I sent a letter and may- 
be he will say that I looked glad and happy on 
receiving his.” 

That afternoon Mrs. Brenton was taken very 
ill. The long strain and the increasing heat 
had greatly weakened her and, now that she had 
at last succumbed to disease, there was no vitality 
to hold her up. Alice and Mrs. Almy were un- 
tiring in their devotion to her, but she sank 
rapidly. With great difficulty they managed 
to get a man to row over to the Cerberus and 
inform Captain Brenton of his mother’s state. 
He lost no time in responding to their call and it 
was an unspeakable relief to the two ladies to 
have his strong arm and ripe judgment to guide 
them when the end came. 

The good old lady passed away peacefully, 
the only peaceful being in that town of unrest, 
and she was laid away in Trinity Churchyard, 
where many of her kin had gone before. 

It was at her funeral that Captain Brenton and 
Lieutenant Stanley met for the first time. Their 


249 


ALICE BRENTON 


common devotion to both Mrs. Brenton and Alice 
made them feel like brothers and when the solem- 
nities were all over they consulted together as to 
what would be best to do to insure the safety 
and welfare of the young girl who was a sister 
to them both. 

The lieutenant had long wished to send his 
sister to his relatives in England, but the state 
of Mrs. Brenton’s health and unsafe conditions 
of travel had deterred him. Now it seemed more 
dangerous than ever, and he was forced to agree 
with Captain Brenton that, after all, it was quite 
as safe to stay in Newport as to leave it. 

On broaching the subject to Mrs. Almy, that 
lady proposed that she and Alice should go and 
reside with Mr. Champlin and Peggy. To this 
both gentlemen dissented. They never could 
consent that one who held such views as Christo- 
pher Champlin should harbor their relatives. 
Mrs. Almy replied that it would be next to im- 
possible to continue running the Brenton House. 
Money was scarce, and food and fuel very dear, 
in fact the latter was scarcely to be secured at 
all, and when winter came matters would be worse. 


250 


ALICE BRENTON 


As for herself, now that her sister was gone, 
she had no means of support, her income before 
the war having been derived from shares her 
husband left in trading vessels which were de- 
stroyed by the British. Mr. Champlin and his 
daughter had offered her a home and she, being 
inclined to his way of thinking, felt disposed 
to accept. They had also cordially expressed 
a wish that Alice might join them too. 

At this Captain Brenton blustered not a little. 
Why should an aunt of his be obliged to accept 
charity from an arch rebel ^ He had ample 
means at his disposal to provide for both her 
and Alice. 

Then the lieutenant declared that it should 
be his duty to provide for his sister. So after 
much talking and deliberation it was decided 
that, for the present, things should go on just 
the same at the Brenton House. It was summer 
time and little fuel was needed except for cook- 
ing, and as Alice remarked, there was not much 
to cook. The servants had to be provided for 
also. They were helpless black people and Cap- 
tain Brenton felt that he owed it as a duty to his 


251 


ALICE BRENTON 


father to maintain his slaves. Mrs. Almy agreed 
to the arrangment, but at the same time proph- 
esied that want of firewood in the winter 
would make the combining of the two families 
imperative. 


252 


CHAPTER XVIII 


July 29, 1779 dawned clear and bright. Some 
one must have been on the lookout at its earliest 
hour for before the sun was very high a ripple 
of excitement was passing over the town from 
one end to the other. The patriots managed 
to meet one another, in spite of the vigilance of 
the soldiery, and greetings of a congratulatory 
character were exchanged. Housetops and win- 
dows were crowded until orders were issued 
by the British officers that all should keep indoors. 

Alice awoke early that morning and wondered 
greatly, as she looked out, to see people so much 
on the alert after weeks and months of depression. 
No one in the house seemed to understand the 
cause of the excitement and, as usual, her first 
thought was to seek Peggy, who always knew 
so much about the state of affairs. 

The attitude of her brother towards the Cham- 
plins had never interfered with her friendship 
for Miss Peggy, so hastily dressing herself she 

253 


ALICE BRENTON 


flew up the hill, through the private grounds, 
and burst into the house, breathlessly asking 
Sam for his young mistress. 

‘‘She am way up in the attic, looking out ob 
de window,’’ answered the negro with a grin. 
Alice almost flew up the stairs and startled Peggy 
from her post at the window. When she saw 
Alice, she exclaimed, “ I am so glad you have come. 
I would have gone down after you, but I was 
afraid I should not see them the first minute 
they appeared.” 

“See whom? I do not understand. I came 
over to learn what all the excitement is about 
and what people are looking for.” 

“ Bless your heart, you poor ignorant little 
Tory, don’t you know that the French ships 
are coming ? They are out there somewhere 
beyond Brenton’s Point. We patriots are always 
on the alert and trusty watchers have been look- 
ing for them for many a long day. Now they are 
off the coast. I could dance for joy. With the 
French to help us we’ll soon drive the Red-coats 
from our island and then we shall be on the sure 
road to freedom — but I forgot, I always let my 

254 


ALICE BRENTON 


tongue run away with my head, you cannot feel 
as I do with all your family, I mean your two 
families, so closely connected with the royalists/* 
“I wish I could feel as you do, Peggy, — in a 
sense I do, for I think the Colonists deserve their 
independence, but defeat for the British fleet brings 
disaster to Brother Jahleel, and defeat for the 
army disaster to Brother Alfred, so you see how 
I must feel.’* 

“I understand, dear Alice, indeed I do, and 
sympathize with you, but you surely have some 
good wishes for the Americans since Harry 
Cranston is one of them.** 

“That is what makes things doubly hard 
for me. If he succeeds, my brothers are defeated, 
and if they succeed he is defeated.** 

“I think the most sensible thing for you to do 
is to pray for Harry’s success. You see if the 
Americans win, and that is certain, the English 
army and navy can go home and the officers will be 
none the worse off, but if the British win the Col- 
onies will be crushed. You surely would not like 
to see us all bending to the oppressor’s yoke, and 
those who took up arms hung or shot as traitors.” 


255 


ALICE BRENTON 


“Don’t, please, Peggy,” said Alice, her eyes 
filling with tears. 

“ Forgive me, dear, I am a chattering monkey. 
With all my talk I never did half as much for the 
American cause as you have done. When I 
think of it, you dear brave girl, how you ventured 
all alone into the jaws of the British lion and got 
Harry away from his captors, I feel like — well, 
just hugging you,” and Miss Peggy suited the 
action to the word. 

Alice was crying softly, pent-up feelings 
giving way. It did her good sometimes to hear 
Peggy talk for she had a way of putting things 
that appealed to the emotions. At last she said, 
“The coming of the French fleet may mean a 
battle, and think of it, a battle right here in our 
neighborhood ! What shall we do ?” 

“We’ll have to go down cellar while the balls 
are flying. That is what the inhabitants of many 
a town have had to do,” answered Peggy. 

“How dreadful!” exclaimed Alice. Then she 
uttered another exclamation, one of surprise and 
utter consternation, which was echoed by Peggy, 
for a loud booming was heard like great cannonad- 

256 


ALICE BRENTON 


ing or terrific explosions. The attention of the 
girls had been so absorbed in watching for the 
first sight of the French ships that they had 
neglected to notice anything in the harbor. Now 
they saw that the British ships were being driven 
ashore, two on Goat Island, and two a little to 
the north of Long Wharf. Then another loud 
noise was heard. “The British have blown up 
some of their own ships to prevent them from 
falling into the hands of the French,’’ cried 
Peggy, “and see, they are on fire! How dread- 
fully frightened they must be! They must have 
been on the lookout for the French as well as we.” 

The flames spread rapidly and for a time the 
smoke obscured their view of the entrance of the 
harbor. 

“What has become of the officers and men 
asked Alice, as she strained her eyes to see through 
the smoke. 

“Never fear for them,” answered Peggy, “they 
can take care of themselves.” 

It was a sight of a lifetime, and the two young 
girls stood by the window, silently witnessing 
a sight that was to be handed down in the history 

257 


17 


ALICE BRENTON 


of a new nation. As the smoke lifted they could 
see near the entrance of the harbor a tall frigate, 
her white sails gleaming in the morning sunlight. 
It was easy now to understand the consternation 
of the British fleet, the advance guard of that 
armament sent as the first substantial aid to the 
Americans by King Louis XVI of France. 

After having watched the vessels for more than 
an hour Alice bethought herself that her aunt 
would miss her and in these troublesome times 
a missing one led to grave apprehensions. Taking 
a hasty leave of Peggy she ran down stairs and 
out the garden door. Here she was met by Sam 
who told her that the order had gone out that 
all townspeople must keep within doors. 

“Pm not afraid, Fll just run down through 
the quarters and no one will see me,” she said 
as she hurried past him. 

She met no one and soon found herself before 
the stable door which stood ajar. Thinking 
to herself that Pompey must have been very 
careless, she went in to see if everything was right 
with her pet saddle horse. To such straits had 
the family come from scarcity of fodder that all 

258 


ALICE BRENTON 


the other horses had been sold to the troops and 
Nellie was the only occupant of the stable. 

Nothing seemed amiss, and she spent a few 
minutes talking to Nellie and caressing her 
glossy neck. 

“If we could have one more canter, 
Nellie, down on the Neck or out to Middletown; 
or if we could save some one again, would it not 
be nice ? But we are shut up here day after day, 
you and I. I wonder when it will all end. I 
wonder if Pompey exercises you enough. How 
I would like to jump on your back and fly away, 
away from this poor old town, but there is no get- 
ting away, troops on one side and water on the 
other three sides.” 

Giving Nellie a farewell caress she started 
to leave the stable when her eye caught a move- 
ment in one of the stalls. On looking closer 
she began to tremble violently and every vestige 
of color faded from her face, for, standing defiantly 
in the farther end of the stall, she saw Moll 
Bowman. She was about to flee when the woman 
said peremptorily, 

“Stop!” 


259 


ALICE BRENTON 


Alice stopped involuntarily, and the next instant 
Moll held her fast by the arm. ‘‘Do you think 
I am going to let you go and the next thing have 
the mischief about my ears ? No, Tm hidin’ 
and ril fix you so that you’ll tell no tales.” 

“I have no intention of telling tales, Moll. 
If you are in trouble I would much rather help 
you than inform on you,” said Alice, recovering 
herself by an effort, and looking Moll straight 
in the eyes. 

“Pshaw, do you think I believe that ? You just 
say that because you are afraid of me.” 

Alice drew herself up, “I am not afraid of you, 
and I mean what I say when I tell you that I 
would rather help you than inform on you. Tell 
me in what way I may be able to render you a 
service and. you will see what I will do.” 

Moll still kept hold of Alice’s arm and her face 
took on a look of cunning rather than anger and 
defiance. 

“Would you get me something to eat?” she 
said. 

“Certainly I would,” answered Alice 

“And not tell a living soul ?” 

260 


ALICE BRENTON 


''I would tell no one, not even the cook who 
has charge of the food.” 

‘‘Well, I am nigh starved, and I have a mind 
to let you go, even if you do give me up. It will 
only be what will happen sooner or later.” 

“ ril not give you up, and I will get you the food,” 
said Alice, as Moll’s grip loosened and she found 
herself free. 

Bidding the woman to hide farther back in 
the stable in the jog made by the harness-room, 
Alice hurried to the house. Here she was met 
by Mrs. Almy and old Aunt Cassie, and both 
admonished her on her rashness in venturing 
out while the town was in such a state. 

“Never mind. Aunt Abigail, I am safe and 
sound and I will not go up to Peggy’s again until 
the coast is clear, and. Aunt Cassie, I am famished. 
I have had no breakfast, so you must get me 
something good to eat and plenty of it.” 

“Hard to do that, these times. Miss Alice. 
Dere’s some nice crisp johnny cakes ’fore de fire, 
and plenty of mush in de kettle. O Lor’, it make 
my ole heart ache to set such stuff ’fore quality 
folks. Dat was not good ’nough for niggers 

261 


ALICE BRENTON 


in de ole days when Marse Brenton kep’ open 
house and dere was plenty for ebery one dat come.’’ 

‘‘That’s good enough for a hungry girl, so let 
me have some mush and plenty of molasses if 
you have it.” 

“Lor’, Miss Alice, I thought you always hated 
the sight of mush and molasses.” 

“I’ve changed my mind. Aunt Cassie.” 

The negro woman served a good supply of the 
despised food with as much formality as if it 
were a favorite delicacy and did not omit her own 
favorite johnny cakes. Alice ate two or three 
mouthfuls and took a little of the mush. She was 
young and healthy and had become accustomed 
to coarse but wholesome food. There was still 
a large supply left for Moll, if she could ever 
manage to get Cassie out of the way so that she 
could take it to the stable. 

Presently a terrific noise shook the house, and 
she exclaimed, 

“Another ship must have been blown up. Run, 
Cassie, to the attic and see what it is. I will 
follow as soon as I eat all this mush.” 

Cassie did not need to be told twice. She 

262 


ALICE BRENTON 


joined Mrs. Almy and the servants who were 
hurrying up stairs and Alice, seizing the mush 
and molasses, made a quick rush for the stable. 

‘‘Here, Moll, this is all I can do for you at 
present. It is not the most dainty food in the 
world, but it is just what I have had myself.” 

“Beggars can’t be choosers,” answered Moll, 
as she fell to eating the mush with avidity. 

“I will come out again bye and bye, I must 
go now or I shall be missed. Then if there 
is anything else I can do for you let me 
know.” 

Alice hurried back to the house and joined 
the others in the attic. The great noise had 
indeed been caused by another ship being blown 
up and they stood for some time watching the 
harbor for the white-winged French ships which 
they expected to see sailing up the bay. 

When Cassie at last descended to the lower 
floor her attention was given to the clearing up 
of the breakfast table, and it was not long before 
she missed the dish which held the mush. Think- 
ing that Alice might have herself taken it to the 
kitchen she searched for it there. Then she called 

263 


ALICE BRENTON 


Chloe, who of course knew nothing about it, 
as she was busy with her usual morning work 
in the chambers when Alice came in. Every 
one in the house was questioned by the privileged 
old cook, but no one seemed to know anything 
about it. Alice kept her room and merely sent 
word to Cassie that as she had not eaten all the 
mush perhaps she had put it away for safe keep- 
ing until she felt hungry. Chloe, who of course 
carried the message, said she never in all her life 
had known Miss Alice to be so greedy, and Cassie 
said she ’sposed de pore chile had ate so little 
since the victuals had become scarce that she 
was beginning to feel a little pickish now; and so 
the matter was dropped. 

When the household had become quiet and 
every one had settled down to accustomed tasks, 
Alice again stole out to the stable, taking with her 
a can of water that Moll might have a drink. 
The woman was crouched down in the recess 
by the harness-room door like some wild animal 
hunted down for its life. 

‘‘Alice Brenton, you must have some object 
in view. You’d never be so mindful of me if 

264 


ALICE BRENTON 


it was not so. I never was a friend to you, 
I hated you and your whole tribe.’’ 

‘‘Perhaps you did, Moll, but I have just taken 
a notion that you are not half as bad as you have 
tried to make me think you were, and you have 
been wronged, and have suffered so much that I 
think it is about time some one showed you a 
little kindness.” 

“Well, you are the oddest creature I ever met. 
Do you know what I intended to do with you 
before that infernal red-coated officer came and 
carried you off ?” 

“Yes, you told me yourself and it is too horrible 
to think of, but that makes no difference now; 
you told me your story and that has impressed 
me so much I feel only sorrow and pity for you.” 

“What would you do for me asked Moll. 

“What do you require? I do not even know 
why you are hiding.” 

“ I’m here because I am hunted by those villains, 
the Hessians. I nearly finished one of them 
last night by partly cutting his throat. He called 
my mother a bad name. She did not deserve 
it, and he knew nothing about her anyway. 

265 


ALICE BRENTON 


I wish I had finished the job, but the others got 
me off him and I then slipped through their fingers. 
I have a way of doing that, you know. The reason 
I came here was that I thought no one would 
think of looking for me on the Brenton premises. 

‘^If you had not come in when you did I would 
have climbed to the loft and stayed there until 
night. Then I would steal away for a time 
to a safe hiding-place that I know of, for pretty 
soon the soldiers will all be ordered out of town. 
I know it, for the Americans are pressing upon 
them and there will soon be a battle.’* 

Alice shuddered at the woman’s cold-blooded 
recital, but she maintained some outward com- 
posure as she said, think the loft is the best 
place for you and before dark I will bring you some 
more food, then you can use your own judgment 
about stealing away. Is there anything else 
I can do for you ?” 

“No, you have done more than I would do for 
you, and for the life of me I cannot see why 
you have any pity for me,” said Moll. 

“If you should ever come to love me, Moll, then 
you will understand.” 


266 


ALICE BRENTON 


‘‘Love you! Ha, ha, does the hawk love the bird 
he tears to pieces ?’' she asked savagely. 

“Do not talk so, please. I shall be afraid of 
you in earnest and not dare to come near you 
again. I should fear that you might have some 
of those terrible men around to capture and carry 
me off*,’’ said Alice as she receded from the woman. 

“You need have no fear of that,’’ said Moll. 
“Those three men have disappeared from Newport. 
The dead body of the one who led to your rescue 
was found in the harbor. The reward was not 
found upon him and as the other two have not 
been seen since, it is plain enough what became 
of it. The two rascals got off somehow, so they 
can’t hurt you. You’re the queerest wench I 
ever heard of, Alice Bren ton, to talk of my loving 
you. I’d rather kill you, you smooth-tongued 
aristocrat. If it were not for you I would have 
my little place out on the shore and be taking 
in money, but that Red-coat lover of yours sent 
his soldiers to tear it down so I haven’t a roof 
to cover me.” 

She grew so vehement and looked so fierce 
that Alice beat a hasty retreat, first taking up the 

267 


ALICE BRENTON 


empty dish which had contained the mush. 
She did not wait to show Moll the way to the 
loft, but let the woman find it as best she could. 

Aunt Cassie was in the house, so Alice quietly 
slipped the dish into the summer kitchen and 
hurried indoors where she remained the greater 
part of the day. Most of her time she spent at 
the window looking off on the water. How she 
wished for reliable news concerning the move- 
ments of the forces. Would there be a battle ^ 
It was hard to feel that Harry would in all probabil- 
ity have to fight against her brother. Then she 
thought of her adopted brother. Captain Brenton, 
and of the ships that were blown up in the harbor. 
Surely she was living in stirring times, and yet 
without the ability to make a move herself. CulFy 
came in during the afternoon with news. He had 
stolen up to Mr. Champlin’s and had a talk with 
Sam, who as usual had managed to find out 
everything that was worth knowing. The officers 
and sailors of the blown-up ships had joined 
the land forces under General Pigot, who had 
all the troops concentrated at the fortifications 
that stretched across the island a little to the north 


268 


ALICE BRENTON 


of the town. Great preparations were being 
made to meet not only the French, but also the 
large force of Americans that was gathering at 
Tiverton. Old Fort Greene was being fortified 
by the British and there was another garrison 
at Castle Hill. That the British were very much 
taken back at the advent of the French was 
certain. They had not calculated on so large 
a fleet and some of the officers had not believed 
one would come at all. It was appalling news 
to the quiet household, as neither quite understood 
what the plan of action on the part of the forces 
might be. Both Mrs. Almy and Alice had a vague 
idea that the British would totally destroy the 
town before giving it up and they also feared 
that the French would bring their guns to bear 
upon it to drive out the enemy. On either hand 
the town would be the sufferer. Cuffy had 
managed to get from Sam a considerable amount 
of information. The Americans had always man- 
aged to fiad out what was going on by their system 
of signals, which were totally unsuspected by 
the King’s officers, and Sam, being the faithful 
servant of a well-known patriot, always found 


ALICE BRENTON 


a way of having them interpreted to him. CufFy 
was at heart a rank rebel and so Sam had no 
scruples about telling him the news with the 
injunction to tell no one except Mrs. Almy for she 
was one with them. For CufFy to tell Mrs. Almy 
and not to tell Alice would have been rank treason, 
and he might well trust the girl for she would 
never do aught to injure the cause for which 
Harry Cranston fought. 

Towards evening Alice stole out again to the 
stable, taking with her a generous supply of food 
for Moll. She could scarcely tell herself what 
led her to befriend one so totally depraved as 
Moll Bowman. The consciousness that the miser- 
able woman was related to her made her recoil, 
but she felt a certain responsibility for the well- 
being of one who had been brought low by one 
of her own immediate ancestors. The woman 
ate the food in silence, then she said, ‘‘Alice 
Brenton, why have you befriended me ?*’ 

“I do not know, Moll, unless it is because I 
pity you.” 

Moll’s eyes flashed, “I do not want you to 
pity me, I would rather you hated me.” 


270 


ALICE BRENTON 


“This is no time to talk of hating any one. 
We are on the eve of something dreadful. A 
French frigate has gone up the outer harbor 
and the British have blown up and burned some 
of their ships. The whole island is in a com- 
motion and there may be a battle very soon.’* 

“Then I think I can easily reach my hiding- 
place. If the soldiers are busy thinking about 
the French they will forget me, so when it gets 
dark Fll steal away,” said Moll. 

“Well good-bye and may God bless you,” 
said Alice gravely. 

Moll started, “As I said before you are a queer 
girl and I think there is something odd in your 
treating me so well, but no one could ever say 
that Moll Bowman was ungrateful, and the time 
may come when I can prove it to you You are 
the first of womankind from whom I ever received 
a kind act or a kind word and I never forget. 
Good-bye.” 


271 


CHAPTER XIX 


The French fleet lay at anchor outside the 
town for over a week. Then one day, with only 
topsails flying, it sailed up the harbor, sixteen 
ships in all, and a vigorous cannonading ensued. 
The batteries on shore poured an incessant fire 
upon the vessels and were so warmly answered 
that they were obliged soon to cease operations. 

The unfortunate inhabitants of the town were 
terribly frightened for several shots from the 
French fleet, flying wide of their mark, struck 
in various places, but Middletown fared the worst; 
for the British troops burned nearly every house 
in their frantic rage. 

The advent of the French fleet was followed 
by the landing of the American army at the north 
end of the island. This put the British between 
two fires. All their troops were concentrated 
near the town and entrenched behind a double 
line of fortifications. Harry Cranston was with 
General Sullivan, whose headquarters were located 


272 


ALICE BRENTON 


in a fine old mansion of Portsmouth, the property 
of a wealthy gentleman of the name of Gibbs. 
General Lafayette took up his quarters at the 
Bowler Farm and General Greene at another 
place, all equally distant from one another, and 
each between five and six miles from Newport. 

To Harry was entrusted much of the duty 
of carrying out the plans of the generals. His 
accurate knowledge of the island made him 
doubly useful to them and he scarcely ever left 
the saddle. The sight of the devastation wrought 
by the enemy was exasperating to him, particularly 
as he everywhere ran across terrified women 
and children who were rendered homeless by 
the wanton cruelty of the soldiers. It was but 
little help he could offer these unfortunates and 
this only increased his rage towards the invaders 
of the once peaceful island. 

The American army had been greatly increased 
by volunteers from Massachusetts, New Hamp- 
shire and Connecticut and now numbered nearly 
fifteen thousand men. With the co-operation 
of the French fleet victory seemed certain. Under 
Harry’s superintendence a line of breastworks 

273 


18 


ALICE BRENTON 


was thrown up not more than a mile north of 
the British line of fortifications. Behind these 
were mounted several pieces of heavy artillery, 
howitzers and mortars, from which were poured 
a continual lire which was answered as fiercely 
by the enemy. 

While the hopes of the Americans were at the 
highest pitch the British fleet, under Lord Howe, 
suddenly appeared off the south coast of the island. 
To the Englishmen this was a welcome sight. 
Then followed the disastrous events with which 
every schoolboy of America is familiar, the 
attempted engagement of the two fleets and the 
terrible storm which scattered the ships and gave 
the admirals, D’Estaing and Howe, all they 
could do to save themselves without molesting 
each other. The storm worked dreadful havoc 
among the Americans. The wind carried off 
the tents and left the soldiers unprotected in the 
face of a deluging downpour of rain. Many 
lives were lost, particularly among the poor, des- 
titute people, whose houses had been demolished 
a few days before. Harry worked indefatigably, 
encouraging and directing the men, and won 


274 


ALICE BRENTON 


warm commendations from his superiors. All 
the time he would have given much to know what 
was going on in town. As he did not know that 
Alice had found a brother in one of the British 
officers he felt the gravest apprehensions for her 
safety, thinking that she was wholly unprotected. 
He knew that she was undoubtedly in Newport, 
as little Ezra Church had told him graphically 
of his interview with her, and he greatly deplored 
the loss of the letter. 

The storm raged for several days and the army 
was in total ignorance as to the fate of the fleets. 
At last at the end of a week the French ships 
were discerned at a distance, all in a disabled 
condition. The Americans began to take heart, 
and as the storm cleared away and the sun came 
out they dried their dripping clothing, repaired 
damages done to the earthworks, and made them- 
selves ready to meet the enemy. 

The next day their spirits sank to the lowest 
ebb for Admiral D’Estaing, instead of entering 
the harbor and coming to their aid had sailed 
away in the night for Boston. The wildest 
disorder prevailed and within twenty-four hours 

275 


ALICE BRENTON 


as many as three thousand of the volunteers from 
Massachusetts and New Hampshire left the army 
and returned to their homes. The militia, whose 
term of service had expired, also laid down their 
arms and refused to fight against a superior 
force without the co-operation of the French. 

General Sullivan was terribly disappointed 
and held a long consultation with his generals. 

It was at this time that General Lafayette 
displayed his ardent chivalry and devotion to the 
American cause. He volunteered to ride post 
haste to Boston to meet D’Estaing and ascertain 
for a certainty whether the fleet would return 
and co-operate with the army. 

There seemed to be no other way to learn 
the intentions of the fleet and the gallant French- 
man departed, leaving the American generals 
to hold out as long as possible against the foe. 

Harry’s duties often carried him to the neighbor- 
hood of the west shore. On one of his visits a 
party of soldiers who had been left near the shore 
on guard reported to him that they had captured 
a woman who had landed a little below their 
post from a skiff. She was all alone. The young 

276 


ALICE BRENTON 


colonel was not particularly interested and asked 
them if they had nothing of a more valorous 
nature to do than capturing a woman. That was 
an act worthy of the Hessians. 

The men protested that the woman seemed 
suspicious. She did not appear like the poor, 
plundered victims of the enemy’s brutality. 

“Well, bring her before me,” he said after he 
had heard all they had to say. 

The men withdrew and soon returned leading 
Moll Bowman. 

Harry knew the woman by sight and reputation. 
She knew Harry Cranston quite as well. 

“Have you come to spy upon us for the benefit 
of the British ?” he asked, to which question 
Moll gave a sneering laugh. 

“No, I’ve not. I’m no better friend to the 
British than you be. I’m trying to get away 
from the island for there’s neither bite nor drink 
to be had, nor a place to rest the sole of one’s 
foot. I found a boat just before the storm and 
tried to make my way along shore to Portsmouth, 
but the wind and rain was too much for me and 
I had to lay up near where my old shanty used 

277 


ALICE BRENTON 


to stand. When it cleared off I sorter crept along 
shore and here I am stopped by your men.’’ 

“I don’t know whether it is best to believe you 
or not. You have surely come to a poor place 
for sustenance if you expect to stay in Ports- 
mouth,” said Harry. 

It can’t be much worse than Newport, the old 
town is going to rack and ruin and the people are 
starving,” said Moll. 

‘‘Starving! You cannot mean it! Is every one 
reduced to such extremities exclaimed Harry. 

Moll gave him a searching glance, then she 
said, “Most of the folks are except those who 
are in the good graces of the English officers. 
Such folks fare well enough, for instance the 
Brentons.” 

“I hope they are safe and well no matter how 
it is brought about,” said Harry, trying to look 
calm. 

“Indeed they are favored and protected, that 
is, Alice Brenton is, the old lady is dead. Young 
Jahleel came home and he is round town and there 
is that young sprig of an artillery officer that was 
quartered there, he is dead smitten with her. 

278 


ALICE BRENTON 


It was he who got her out of my clutches when 
she was caught near the British camp, on the 
night you made your escape. I thought at first 
she had something to do with your getting clear, 
she seemed so delighted over it, but I guess it was 
the young Red-coat she was after, for it was he 
who came to get her.’* 

“What do you mean, woman, by saying that 
Miss Brenton was in your clutches ? What 
business had you molesting her V* he said sternly. 

“I was just taking care of her until her friends 
could come and claim her, and everything turned 
out all right. I have nothing against her. She was 
the first friend I ever found in Newport. She fed 
and sheltered me when my life was not worth a 
groat. I told her I would never forget her.” 

Moll had so arranged her speech that Harry 
was completely mollified, and he said, “When 
did you see Miss Brenton last ?” 

“On the day when the French ships first ap- 
peared off the coast. I was hiding from the Hes- 
sians, who had vowed to kill me, and Alice Bren- 
ton proved a friend to me. She’s a good, true 
girl if one ever lived.” 


279 


ALICE BRENTON 


Harry began to feel kinder towards the woman 
whom Alice had pitied and befriended, and he 
asked, “What do you propose to do now that you 
have found your way inside the American lines ? 
The country has been stripped of everything 
that could sustain life and it is full of hungry, 
destitute people.” 

“Oh, never mind about me. I have been half 
starved many a time and managed to pick up 
enough to renew life. If your cussed soldiers 
had let me alone I’d have been far up the shore 
by this time, and when I got the chance Td cross 
over to Bristol.” 

“You have great pluck for a woman, and you 
shall have your chance to get to Bristol if you 
keep clear of the British, but first tell me the name 
of the officer who is so attentive to Miss Brenton. 
I have heard of him before,” said Harry. 

“Oh, his name is Stanley, Lieutenant Stanley 
of the First Artillery, but I can’t see how that 
Miss Brenton favors him overmuch, only you see 
he has been kind to her and the whole family. 
When every one was freezing to death last winter 
for want of fires the Brentons had plenty of wood 

280 


ALICE BRENTON 


sent to them by the army and they have never 
been robbed like other folks.” 

“That is very gratifying/’ said Harry and he 
ordered that her boat should be restored to her. 

As Harry saw her rowing up the bay, keeping 
cautiously near the shore, a feeling of pity for her 
helpless, deplorable state came over him. Al- 
though aware of her infamous character and dark 
deeds she was still a woman and Alice Brenton 
had shown her compassion so why should not he 
The thought of the young British officer was not 
at all pleasing to him. In spite of the modifica- 
tions Moll had added to her information he 
chafed under the insinuations she had at first 
thrown out. Then he remembered that it was 
to Alice he owed his life and little Ezra had told 
him how delighted she was at receiving his letter. 
Oh ! if her answer had not been intercepted what 
a delight it would have been to him. 

There was not much time, however, to think 
over his private desires. The affairs of the nation 
were fast crowding themselves upon him, and 
Harry had always been trained to put duty first, 
no matter what his inclinations might be. 

281 


ALICE BRENTON 


The American army had continued to hold 
its position until the twenty-eighth of August. 
Then despairing of aid from the French, and 
knowing that the enemy would soon be reinforced, 
the commander of the Rhode Island forces decided 
upon a retreat. That night the whole army 
moved to the north end of the island, and by two 
o’clock in the morning was encamped on Butts 

Hill. 

The gallant General Nathaniel Greene, whose 
name is ever fresh in the memory of Rhode 
Islanders, commanded the left wing, and with 
him were the brigades of Glover, Varnum, Cornell, 
and Christopher Greene. The latter commanded 
a regiment of negroes, who had been promised 
their freedom on their enlisting to fight for the 
Colonies 

At daylight the British forces marched out from 
Newport, by the two roads which run lengthwise 
of the island, but the Americans were prepared 
for them. Harry Cranston had done good work 
that night and it was owing to his untiring energy 
in riding from one post to the other, carrying 
his general’s directions, that a regiment was 

282 


ALICE BRENTON 


posted at a cross-road not far from the head- 
quarters of General Sullivan and about six miles 
from the town. As Colonel Campbell, with 
the Twenty-second British Regiment, came to the 
corner of this cross-road it divided, one-half 
turning to the left only to be met by a murderous 
fire from behind the stone wall bordering on 
Mr. Gibbs’s estate. A storm of bullets rained 
upon the surprised British soldiers and from 
every point along the road appeared the Americans 
springing from their ambush. So complete was 
the surprise that the Americans had time to 
reload before the enemy recovered from the shock 
and soon nearly one-quarter of the Twenty-second 
Regiment lay dead upon the ground. Not more 
than half a mile in the rear were two Hessian 
regiments and these hastened to the relief of 
Colonel Campbell, but too late. The Americans 
had retreated to Butts Hill and joined the main 
body of the army. The enemy pressed on and 
advanced near the left wing, but Glover was there 
and drove them back, and they retreated to 
entrench themselves on Quaker Hill. By nine 
o’clock a heavy cannonading began between 

283 


ALICE BRENTON 


the two armies, augmented, on the side of the 
British, by the ships of the fleet which had sailed 
up the bay and fired broadside into the American 
camp. It was at this point that General Sullivan 
gave his orders that the heaviest guns should 
be drawn to the water’s edge and trained upon 
the ships. 

To Harry the carrying out of the order was 
intrusted and he was just returning from the 
performance of that duty when a tremendous 
force of the enemy came pouring down the slopes 
of the two hills, Anthony and Quaker, bent 
upon attacking General Greene. 

As General Sullivan became aware of this 
manoeuvre he immediately sent out a party to 
attack the right wing. With this party Harry 
found himself. It was his first chance to enter 
into battle. On his right was Colonel Christopher 
Greene’s regiment of black men who contributed 
much to the fortunes of the day. 

Now commenced a long and desperate struggle. 
A furious bayonet charge under Colonel Living- 
stone threw the balance of victory on the side 
of the Americans, and the negro regiment, fighting 

284 



I do not mean to die in this battle if I can help it. ” 





* } 


X 

, 


^ •// 


<.-V 







^r 




0 ' 


/•K<'.5-'’^-'ftH^- . t-vJ ■ V ' ■ '■ '"ti 

-*- ‘ " * W '■' ■ ■ ‘ ' ^ ■ * ’■ ^ ^ ■ ' ■' ' 

m. • r.'.-^..»‘ ^ I ^14^ .«f .4: «t--<- 



'iP^r 

r j* •- i' " 1^ • 


•^^t■r^ .:, if:. 


» ' i 

L 


- •*. 







iai^i : '>& ri?w’s"5V ■'■zM 

* "i ‘ \ . 1 • >,.*y ■'4- \- « 1^' . 

^ l■KABF « ji2. ^ iJ* ^ 







L* V)' - g^ 




ALICE BRENTON 


for a double freedom, charged so furiously on 
the Hessians that they lay in heaps upon the field. 
Harry felt his blood tingle with the tremendous 
excitement. His horse was shot and he led his 
command on foot, after the retreating British, 
clear to the top of Quaker Hill. Here was 
stationed one of the batteries of the enemy. 

“These must be captured,” he said to his men. 

A hand-to-hand conflict ensued. The British 
officers fought well, the American officers fought 
with desperation. Harry found himself engaged 
with a tall lieutenant. In one of their slight pauses 
each looked into the other’s eyes and a quick 
flush deepened the glow on both their faces. 
Harry recognized the young officer he had seen 
on the night when he was tried as a spy in General 
Bigot’s camp, and the other recognized him as 
the man whose life was forfeit to the royal cause. 

“Traitor, spy, you do not deserve to die in 
honorable battle!” exclaimed the lieutenant. 

“I do not mean to die in this battle if I can 
help it,” said Harry as he made a thrust at his 
opponent, but as he did so, a look, so like Alice 
Brenton, appeared on the young man’s face 


ALICE BRENTON 


that he hesitated. Alfred Stanley hesitated, too. 
The man who stood before him was beloved by 
his sister — he could not kill him, he would leave 
that for some other hand to do. The battle 
was raging furiously. The negroes, intoxicated 
with their victory over the Hessians, rushed in 
pell-mell and, hewing down the defenders of 
the battery, captured it while the two young men 
were exchanging blow’s. 

‘‘You might as well give in, your piece is taken 
and I do not wish to kill you,” said Harry. 

Stanley lowered his sword and stood erect. 

“You are very magnanimous,” he said scorn- 
fully, “and were it not for the sake of the girl 
who risked her life and honor for your sake I 
would run you through as you stand. I could 
not face her again with your blood upon my 
hands.” 

He turned and joined his men who were still 
fighting for one last stand and the rush and turmoil 
soon hid him from Harry’s view. 

The Americans were busy taking prisoners 
and it suddenly dawned upon Harry that he 
ought to have captured the young British officer, 

286 


ALICE BRENTON 


but so overcome was he by the meeting that 
the thought came too late. 

The day was very hot, but the Americans 
retreated to the shelter of the woods and from 
there kept up a fusilade upon the British and 
Hessians. Soon the battery on the shore silenced 
the ships and they sailed away down the bay. 
The firing of the musketry ceased and only the 
roar of the artillery continued until night closed 
in. Sullivan knew there was nothing for him 
but retreat. Although victory, so far as fighting 
went, was on his side he could not hold out against 
the force that had arrived under Sir Henry Clinton, 
so his energies and those of his officers were 
directed towards effecting a retreat that would 
be a masterpiece of military skill. The sentinels 
of both armies were not more than seventy rods 
apart, so that it required great skill to allay the 
suspicions of the British. Camp-fires were lighted 
extending nearly across the island, so as to give 
the enemy the impression that they were securely 
encamped, but as soon as night set in the Ameri- 
cans began to take down tents and move the 
artillery and baggage towards the northern shore. 

287 


ALICE BRENTON 


Then they embarked in their boats for the Tiverton 
side. It took all night to effect the transportation, 
but so skilfully was it done that not a suspicion 
of the movement occurred to the British. 

Harry was among the rear guard who had so 
successfully covered the retreat. It was a perilous 
duty. Had the enemy found out the state of 
affairs nothing could have saved the devoted 
men who carried out the plan that saved the 
Americans. At dawn of day the last piece of 
artillery and baggage was over and only the 
rear guard and pickets remained. A tremor of 
excitement passed over the brave men left on 
the island shore. Should they be forgotten in the 
bustle and confusion, what would be their fate .? 
Harry knew what his would be and he wondered 
what the English officer with Alice Brenton’s 
eyes would say when he was caught a second time. 

The American generals had no likelihood to 
forget the brave men, to whose coolness and 
courage they owed their safe retreat. Presently 
boats were seen approaching and signals were 
hoisted for them to be in readiness to embark. 
What was the surprise of all to see as the com- 

288 


ALICE BRENTON 


mander of the party, the gallant Lafayette. 
The men could not resist bursting into cheers, 
so popular had the generous and noble French- 
man become. 

He had just returned from Boston, after a 
fruitless interview with D’Estaing, and reached 
Tiverton as the retreating troops were landing. 
Although the news he brought was by no means 
cheering, such was the charm of his own personal- 
ity that he received the heartiest of welcomes. 
During the campaign on the island he had become 
strongly attached to Colonel Cranston and they 
now for a moment grasped each other’s hand 
in recognition. So skillful was he in conducting 
the retreat of this last party that neither a man 
nor anything of value was left behind and when 
the sun rose high in the heavens nothing was to 
be seen where the night before an army lay en- 
camped. While crossing to the Tiverton shore 
Lafayette stood with Harry in the flat-bottomed 
boat, which conveyed them, and told him of 
his long ride to Boston and back, and of the 
refusal of D’Estaing to co-operate on account 
of the disabled condition of the fleet. It would 

289 


18 


ALICE BRENTON 


have been against the orders of the French court 
had he entered into battle in that condition. He 
added that the admiral had offered to send his 
troops over land to help the Americans, but as 
things had gone now it would be too late. He 
warmly commended the retreat after the battle, 
which he later pronounced “the best-fought 
action of the war.” 

That day Sir Henry Clinton arrived in New- 
port with four thousand men, and the American 
officers congratulated themselves that their evacua- 
tion had not been a moment too soon. 

Cranston was greatly disappointed. He had 
sanguinely hoped that they would have, 
with the help of the French fleet, driven the 
British from the island, and his native town 
with everything he held dear would have been 
free from a galling yoke. Now the iron grasp 
of the enemy was clinched all the tighter and he 
saw a future of greater misery for poor old New- 
port. The words of the English lieutenant puz- 
zled him. That he was the Stanley of whom 
Moll Bowman spoke he felt sure, and that he 
knew the part Alice took in his own escape from 


290 


ALICE BRENTON 


Miantonomi Hill was evident. What was the 
interest this young officer took in Alice Bren ton ? 
If the Englishman loved her why should he spare 
a rival in the fury of war ? It was an enigma which 
Harry could not solve, but it comforted him to 
hear from the lips of an enemy another con- 
firmation of the fact that Alice had saved his life. 
Risked her life and honor for him, the officer 
said — surely the girl must love him and no other. 


291 


CHAPTER XX 


The month of August, 1778, was a terrible 
one for the people of Newport. Many of the 
shots fired by the French fleet struck the houses 
of the town, and the people, not knowing but that 
they were aimed directly at them, were frightened 
beyond expression. No food had been dealt 
out to the poor people by the army and this 
reduced them to a most deplorable state, border- 
ing on starvation. 

Mrs. Almy had always looked ahead and kept 
her larder stocked with food, which was at least 
wholesome, if not luxurious. There was plenty 
of meal, that staple article of Rhode Island food, 
and of which the old-time negresses could prepare 
most toothsome and dainty cakes, besides molasses, 
a keg of pork, some potatoes, and a supply of 
cider, beer and rum. Not a very appetizing bill- 
of-fare to most modern people, but it was far better 
than most houses in the town could show, and it 
would keep the wolf from the door. Strict 


292 


ALICE BRENTON 


economy was necessary, however, for there was 
quite a family, counting the blacks. At first 
it seemed impossible to do without the butter, 
eggs, wheat flour, and the numerous articles 
which went towards making up a dainty meal, 
but as time went on the fear of losing what they 
had made the coarse food precious to them. 

The storm had another terrifying effect upon 
the people and when it at last cleared away they 
timidly climbed to the house-tops to see what 
had become of the two fleets. Their dismay 
at the sailing away of the French fleet was un- 
speakable. Mr. Champlin’s Sam had been out 
gathering information and came back with news 
which soon found its way to the Bren ton family. 
‘‘The Americans were retreating,” was the sum- 
mary of what he had heard and to this was added 
the startling intelligence that the British had 
started in pursuit. Then came the echoes of the 
battle. The next news that Sam brought was 
not reassuring to those in sympathy with the 
patriots. Peggy wrung her hands in despair 
and Alice turned very white with secret grief. 
The British had taken care to spread the news 


293 


ALICE BRENTON 


of the retreat of the Americans, magnifying it 
into a defeat, and they immediately set to work 
fortifying the island anew and pressing the yoke 
harder upon the inhabitants. 

One day shortly after the battle. Lieutenant 
Stanley rode into Newport. Alice was over- 
joyed to see him. One, at least, of the partici- 
pants in the strife was safe and well. He brought 
with him one of his brother officers. Major Wright, 
the same who had generously assisted with the 
reward for Alice’s return. As Colonel Knox 
had changed his quarters to a house in Ports- 
mouth, Stanley begged leave of Mrs. Almy to 
bring Major Wright to occupy his quarters at 
the Brenton House. His request was readily 
granted and the two officers added materially 
to the support of the house. It was a protection 
to the two lonely women and their servants to 
have them, and Mrs. Almy was forced to set 
aside some of her prejudices against the British. 

The autumn months passed slowly. There 
was little occupation for the people as there 
were no materials to work with. Alice began to 
wish she had some wool to spin, or yarn to knit 


294 


ALICE BRENTON 


into stockings. In the happy days gone by she 
had often rebelled when Mrs. Brenton tried to 
impress upon her the need of learning the homely 
accomplishments, now she would have been 
glad to spend a whole day at the wheel. 

Miss Peggy Champlin felt the burden of war 
even more than did Alice. Her father’s strong 
patriotic tendencies rendered him an object of 
suspicion to the Tories and the army officers 
alike, and many times his house was searched 
and often valuables were taken away. 

In spite of the fact that Alice was a British 
officer’s sister the two girls kept up their friend- 
ship, rather to the disapproval of Lieutenant 
Stanley. Alice sought some means of bringing 
the two together, well knowing that the charm 
of Miss Peggy’s manner would do much towards 
allaying all prejudices against the Champlin 
family. At last an opportunity occurred. Peggy 
had been spending the afternoon with Alice 
when unexpectedly the two officers appeared. 
There was no escape for Peggy, and Alice, with 
secret exultation, introduced them to her friend. 
Peggy’s powers of fascination were not lost on 

295 


ALICE BRENTON 


either of the two gentlemen and very soon the 
four young people were on cordial terms. This 
was the beginning of many pleasant meetings 
and Alice heard no more from her brother about 
avoiding those rebels up the hill. 

If Lieutenant Stanley had withdrawn his op- 
position to the friendship of the girls, Mr. Champlin 
had suddenly found great cause for airing his. 
The idea of his daughter associating with officers 
of the British army could not be tolerated, but 
Alice finally overruled his scruples. 

‘‘Why should we not be friends?” she urged. 
“It will not interfere with the result of the con- 
flict, while we only pass away a tedious time 
with a little pleasure.” 

The winter that followed was intensely cold. 
The British soldiery tore up the wharves and old 
houses for firewood and even then suffered from 
want of enough to keep themselves warm. The 
townspeople were utterly destitute and many 
cases of starvation and deaths from freezing 
were known. 

The inmates of the Brenton House were fairly 
supplied with wood on account of their having 

296 


ALICE BRENTON 


the officers quartered on them, but Mr. Champlin, 
notwithstanding the fact that three officers had 
taken up their abode in his house, found it very 
difficult to keep warm. The officers supplied 
enough fuel to cook their own meals in the kitchen 
and to keep a fire in one of the rooms which they 
had appropriated for their own use, but to this 
room the family had no access, neither did they 
care to enter it. Once Peggy mentioned the fact 
before Alfred Stanley, whereupon the young 
officer immediately offered to send a supply of 
wood for the use of herself and father. Peggy 
was profuse in her thanks, but declined the 
tempting offer firmly, which greatly astonished 
and distressed him. On his speaking about it 
to Alice, she explained to him Mr. Champlin’s 
scruples against receiving favors from those 
whom he regarded as enemies to his country. 

Stanley responded warmly, I think that is 
carr}dng his notions too far. Why should he let 
his daughter suffer with cold when it can be 
avoided ? Besides, the wood belongs to the town 
by right. I wish we could contrive some way 
to get some up there without his suspecting that 

297 


ALICE BRENTON 


a British officer had anything to do with it.” 

Alice thought a moment, then she said, “I 
know a way in which wood could be forced upon 
Mr. Champlin so that he would think he was 
getting the best of the army officers.” 

“Tell me all about it and I will see that Miss 
Champlin gets enough to keep her from suffering,” 
he said with great earnestness, 

Alice had to smile at her brother’s interest 
in the daughter of a pronounced rebel, and she 
said, “Mr. Champlin has a negro servant named 
Sam, who is a desperate forager. He generally 
finds things the enemy has hidden away and ap- 
propriates them for his master’s use. Mr. Cham- 
plin, although the soul of honor in all other 
relations, has no compunction about using what 
Sam forages. He looks upon things acquired 
that way as the spoils of war. Now if we could 
contrive to leave wood where Sam could find it 
and make him think it belonged to the British 
he would lose no time in spiriting it away and his 
master would chuckle over the trick played upon 
the enemy.” 

The idea highly amused Stanley and he set 
298 


ALICE BRENTON 


to work thinking how he could contrive to put 
wood in the way of the wily negro. 

After some deliberation and a consultation 
with Major Wright, they decided to have some 
fine logs that had just been brought from Long 
Island for the use of the troops put into a corner 
of the south lot. Just before the wood was placed 
there Alice told Cuffy in confidence that she thought 
it was a shame that the British officers should 
have all the wood they wanted, while good people 
like Mr. Champlin were suffering, and she told 
him that she knew there was to be a fine load 
hidden on their own premises that night. 

Cuffy looked mysterious, “’Twon’t be long 
dere if Sam finds it out.’’ 

wish he would find it out and take every 
stick of it,” said Alice. ‘‘Of course I shall not 
tell him it is there, but if he finds it and takes 
it I shall tell no tales.” 

Cuffy said nothing, but looked determined. 
That afternoon he and Sam had a long con- 
fidential conversation unknown to the inmates 
of either house. On the evening of the same 
day a fair-sized load of wood was carefully piled 

299 


ALICE BRENTON 


up in the south corner of the estate and covered 
over with sea-weed. Then Alice and the tw’o 
officers awaited developments. 

The next afternoon after duties at the barracks 
were over, the two young men strolled around 
the grounds and looked for the wood-pile. It 
was gone. Both laughed heartily. The ruse 
had succeeded and Miss Peggy could have a good 
fire, and her father a prodigious amount of satis- 
faction. 

It was more than courtesy to his sister’s friend 
that prompted Alfred Stanley to plan for her 
comfort. Although he had been strongly opposed 
to Alice’s attachment to an American officer he 
found himself rapidly losing his heart to the 
charms of an American girl, who was a patriot 
of the patriots. 

Peggy told Alice how Sam had purloined wood 
from the British, but with strict injunctions 
not to tell her brother about it. 

‘Tt is so comfortable now,” she said. “We 
use one of the upstairs rooms for a sitting-room 
and there we revel in the heat from the fire-place. 
We let the servants come in and warm themselves 

300 


ALICE BRENTON 


before going to bed and the poor creatures bless 
us. I think they had better bless Sam.” 

Alice thought they had better bless some one 
else, but she kept her own counsel, glad that 
Peggy’s sufferings from cold were ended for a 
time. 

Snowstorm after snowstorm swept over the 
wretched town that winter and the harbor was 
frozen solid. On one night when the drifting 
snow piled several feet high and the mercury 
ran far below zero the most terrible suffering 
ensued. All the sentinels of the British army, 
who were stationed outside the town, perished 
at their posts. Most of them were Hessians, and 
on that account the storm has ever after been 
called the ‘^Hessian storm.” 

The longest night ends in a morning and the 
longest winter ends in a spring. As soon as the 
snows melted and the ice in the harbor broke 
up Lieutenant Stanley began to think of sending 
his sister to England. The sooner she was re- 
moved from America the sooner she would be 
likely to forget Harry Cranston, he thought. 
He could see that she continually thought of the 


301 


ALICE BRENTON 


young patriot officer and would gladly have seen 
her transfer her affections to Major Wright, but 
kind as she appeared to that officer, she gave him 
no encouragement, not any more than he himself 
received from Peggy Champlin. 

During the summer many changes were made 
in the different regiments. Some were ordered 
to New York and others sent on to take their 
places. Among those ordered away was the First 
Artillery to which Stanley belonged. Its destina- 
tion was New York. To go and leave his sister 
unprotected was out of the question, and after 
consulting Captain Brenton, who now had charge 
of another ship in the harbor, he proposed that 
Alice should go to New York and that Mrs. 
Almy should accompany her. At first Mrs. 
Almy demurred. Why should she desert her native 
town and go off with a British regiment ? She 
hoped she had more self-respect than that. It 
was pointed out to her that it would be impossible 
for her and Alice to live alone with none but the 
negro servants, as the increase of lawlessness 
rendered no one sacred. She answered that they 
could live with the Champlins, but that was 


302 


ALICE BRENTON 


overruled as it had been before. That which 
decided her finally to give in was the state of their 
health. Both she and Alice were decidedly 
run down by the privations and close seclusion, 
and there was an appalling amount of sickness 
in the town. Smallpox had broken out on the 
loathsome prison ship anchored in the harbor 
and several cases were reported on shore. 

So it was at last decided to close the house and 
that the ladies should go to New York. Captain 
Brenton made provisions for the servants, allow- 
ing them to live in their own quarters and to be 
supported at his expense, their only care being to 
look after Alice’s mare, Nellie. 

It was a great trial to Alice, this parting with 
the friends of her childhood. Every one of the 
black people was dear to her, particularly CulFy, 
whose especial care she had always been. On 
the day of departure she was surrounded by the 
faithful creatures who gave vent to their feelings 
in sobs and lamentations, and it was more than 
she could do to control them. 

Then Peggy came to say a last good-bye, and 
they promised most faithfully to exchange letters 


303 


ALICE BRENTON 


at every opportunity and vowed eternal friendship. 

Lieutenant Stanley had obtained permission 
to sail in the passenger sloop with his sister in- 
stead of going in the transport with the troops. 
This made it much easier for the two ladies. 

Just as they were about to embark, CulFy 
appeared on the wharf. Approaching quietly, 
he said, '‘Miss Alice, you nebber tole me one 
word to say to Marse Harry when he comes 
back.’’ 

Alice choked back a sob as she said, "It would 
be no use, CufFy. Master Harry will never come 
back to Newport, I fear.” 

"I’se not afeerd ob dat,” answered CufFy. 
"De Red-coats will go ’way some time and den 
Marse Harry and de other young men will come 
back to dere own ole town.” 

"Well if they do, and you see Master Harry, 
tell him I feel just the same towards him as I did 
that night when I cut his bonds, and if he ever 
wishes to send me a letter tell him to see Miss 
Peggy and she will help him out.” 

" I will. Miss Alice. I knowed you would leave 
a word for Marse Harry, but I dunno how I can 


304 


ALICE BRENTON 


look him in de face for I tole him I would watch 
ober you and take care ob you and now you are 
going away and ole CulFy will nebber see you 
any more.” 

‘‘It’s no fault of yours that I am going, or of 
mine either. I would much rather stay with 
you and Miss Peggy, but now I see that my brother 
is waiting, so good-bye and God bless you, my 
dear old friend.” 

“ May de Lord bress you. Miss Alice, and 
watch ober you. You hah been a good chile all 
de days ob your life and He won’t forget you. 
Ole CufFy will pray for you ebery night and 
mornin’.” 

The old negro kissed her hand and then with 
a sob in his throat walked away. 

“ Your old slave is very devoted,” said her 
brother as Alice stepped on board the boat. 

“I never think of him as a slave, he was my 
preserver when I was a child and he has watched 
over me ever since. I only wish I could take 
him with me,” she answered. 

“Oh, you will get over your attachment to 
to him by and by, he is only a negro after all.” 

305 


ALICE BRENTON 


“A negro with a white soul — I never think 
of his black face/’ she said. 

“Well, think of him as you please, he is a faith- 
ful old fellow, I am sure, and perhaps you will 
have the pleasure of seeing him again after the 
war is over.” 

At the end of two days the sloop landed her 
passengers at New York. Lieutenant Stanley 
secured lodgings for the ladies in a house near 
the Battery overlooking the bay. It had belonged 
to a patriotic gentleman, who fled with his family 
at the approach of the British troops, and it was 
subsequently turned into a first-class lodging 
or boarding-place for ladies connected with the 
army. 

Here they found themselves surrounded by 
comforts which they had sorely missed during 
the last three years in Newport. They were 
also enabled to buy articles of clothing of which 
they stood sadly in need and were it not for the 
fact that the war had separated into two parties 
those whom she loved Alice would have enjoyed 
the change from the gloom and privations of 
Newport to the gayety and plenitude of New York. 

306 


CHAPTER XXI 


After his arrival in New York, Alfred Stanley 
was promoted to the rank of captain and assigned, 
with his battery, to one of the garrisoned forts 
near King’s Bridge. This bridge was the British 
barrier of the island of Manhattan. Farther 
north were the camps of the British and Hessians 
known as the outer lines, while far beyond lay 
the principal camp of the Americans. In many 
respects life here was much pleasanter than in 
Rhode Island, were it not that the captain found 
himself constantly thinking of a pair of bright 
eyes and of a graceful figure that he feared he 
would not see again for many a long day. What 
rendered his discomfiture still worse was the 
uncertainty of Miss Peggy’s feelings towards 
him. 

His heart sank within him every time he thought 
of her. Her laughter and witty sayings rang 
in his ears, but never a downcast look nor a tell- 
tale blush could he recall. That she was not 


ALICE BRENTON 


a coquette he knew, for her glance was always 
straightforward and she always meant what she 
said. If he had had only a little more time to lay 
siege to her heart; but just as he had found out 
his own feelings he was ordered away. Such are 
the misfortunes of war. 

Alice made many acquaintances among the 
wives of the British officers, and received many 
invitations to dinners and teas. For the first 
time in many years she tasted the cheering bever- 
age which was the cause of much discontent of 
the Colonies. Mrs. Almy stoutly refused to 
taste it. She had belonged once to a band of 
devoted women who vowed they would never 
taste tea until there was not a Red-coat left in the 
United Colonies. The Red-coats had not gone, 
so she would keep her word. 

To please Alice and out of deference to her 
nephew. Captain Brenton, to whose bounty 
she was indebted, the patriotic lady did not air 
her principles among the English ladies and 
many times she had to shut her lips tightly to 
keep from uttering a retort when the Americans 
were reviled and ridiculed. Once, however, when 

308 


ALICE BRENTON 


the wife of a colonel, high in the favor of Sir 
Henry Clinton, spoke of the Americans as plow- 
boys and cowards, she could contain herself 
no longer. 

“Plowboys, yes, and the sons of plowboys, 
who turned the wilderness into fruitful fields for 
the benefit of the King of England — but cowards, 
never! Who helped the British forces in the 
French and Indian War.? Who captured Louis- 
burg ? Who marched against Quebec .? They 
were plowboys and the sons of plowboys. No one 
called them cowards then!” 

The lady elevated her eyebrows — 

“ Really, I did not know. I thought we were all 
of one mind here in New York and that all rebels 
and their sympathizers had fled to the wilderness,” 
she said. 

Alice looked distressed, but her quick wit 
came to the rescue, as she said, ‘‘You must pardon 
my aunt’s zeal. We have but recently come from 
Rhode Island where we were in touch with many 
good and noble people who had cast their lot 
with the Colonies. I am an English girl and 
the sister of one of his Majesty’s officers, but I 


309 


ALICE BRENTON 


have many friends among the Americans and not 
one of them is a coward.” The charm of Alice’s 
manner disarmed the English lady and she said, 

“Perhaps I was wrong, I have never met any 
Americans except the innkeepers and those farm- 
ers we came across in our travels from Philadel- 
phia, All the gentry, you know, have taken 
sides with the King.” 

“Not all,” said Alice, “at least not all in Rhode 
Island. Some of the best families have representa- 
tives in the Continental army and many of the 
richest people of Newport have become poor 
all because of their adherence to the patriotic 
cause.” 

Some of the ladies were very much interested 
in what Alice said. To meet one who had lived 
among the rebels was a novelty to them and they 
plied her with questions. It was like seeing the 
other side of the shield to hear her tell of the 
devotion of the people in Newport and of the dar- 
ing of Ezek Hopkins and Abraham Whipple. 
Then she mentioned Peggy Champlin and pictured 
the refined and lovely girl who was willing to 
suffer all sorts of privations for th^ sake of her 


310 


ALICE BRENTON 


cause. Surely she made it plain that brave men 
and beautiful women had devoted their lives 
to the liberties of America. 

Mrs. Almy sat and listened with a smile upon 
her face. She was thinking that the girl had 
left out the most thrilling tale of heroism when 
she omitted telling of the escape of Harry 
Cranston. 

Late in October, on account of a rumor that 
the Americans and the French were to make a 
combined attack upon New York, all the troops 
were ordered from Rhode Island to help defend 
this great stronghold of royalty. Great com- 
motion ensued. Alice began to think that the 
fortunes of war were bound to follow her, for 
no sooner had she begun to feel secure after her 
long period of tension and suspense in Newport, 
than the same state of affairs recurred. 

With the advent of new officers began a series 
of festivities, which the anticipation of an attack 
could not check. To some of them Captain 
Stanley took his sister, but it being hard for him 
to get leave from his post at King’s Bridge very 
often, she sometimes went under the protection 


311 


ALICE BRENTON 


of Lady Mary Erskine, wife of Captain Erskine 
of the army. Alice had little taste for frivolities. 
She had passed through so many changes during 
the last few years that dancing and feasting held 
no allurements for her. She could not forget that 
while she was enjoying luxuries and listening 
to the flatteries of the British officers, Harry 
Cranston was enduring bitter hardships in camp 
and on battlefields, and the friends of her child- 
hood were suffering from want and cold in the 
beloved island town that had sheltered her so 
many years. She had written a long letter to 
Peggy shortly after her arrival in New York, 
describing her voyage and her impressions of the 
town and its people, and asked for a speedy reply 
with news of all that was going on at home, 
as she still called Newport. One day in the early 
winter a letter came by one of the few mails 
that passed between the two places. Delightedly 
she read: 

“My lear Alice: I never can describe the joy 
the advent of your letter was to me. I have read 
it over twenty times and my father was as much 
pleased over it as I was. We are fairly well 


312 


ALICE BRENTON 


considering the state of the town, which is miser- 
able. We have one thing to be thankful for and 
that is the locusts have departed. They left us 
bare and wretched, but they are gone, and that 
is a great satisfaction. I shall never forget the 
day they took their departure. We had all, that 
is the people of the town, received orders to re- 
main indoors, and were warned on pain of death 
not to look out of windows or doors. That was 
on the twenty-fifth of October. We had to obey, 
of course, but why the order was given puzzled 
me very much. Presently Sam came in and told 
us he had found out that the British army was 
about to depart and the officers were afraid the 
soldiers would desert and escape among the people 
if there was a crowd in the streets or if the doors 
were open. 

‘‘I made up my mind that no British officer 
could keep me from seeing all that passed, so 
I mounted to our old post by the attic window 
where I hung a thin muslin curtain, in which 
I had tom a few slits, and from behind its folds 
I saw the whole army march down Thames 
Street to Brenton’s Neck. From there, I was 


ALICE BRENTON 


told they embarked in their ships and transports 
for New York. 

“Well, you may be sure we were not sorry to 
see the last of the Red-coats. I told father that I 
thought the bells ought to be rung, but he re- 
minded me that all the bells in the steeples had 
been taken down, all except Trinity’s. Then 
suddenly we heard the roll of the drum and on 
looking through Clarke Street, near the Artillery 
armory, we saw a troop of boys approaching 
headed by young Nathan Tilley. He carried 
the new flag of the Colonies and beside him came 
little William Ward drumming on an immense 
drum. It was a glorious sight. I waved my 
handkerchief* as they approached, and they gave 
three resounding cheers. I suppose some of the 
old Tories left in town were wild with rage. 

“The first thing the people did after the evacua- 
tion was to view the damages done by the enemy. 
I cried when father came in and told me all about 
it. It will take a hundred years, he says, to 
replace the number and growth of the trees that 
have been cut down. All the native forest trees 
are gone, besides the valuable orchards, and as 


ALICE BRENTON 


many as five hundred houses have been destroyed. 
The wharves have all been torn down and the 
churches have been wantonly ruined; but the 
cruelest thing of all was their filling up the wells 
so that water has become very scarce. Another 
wicked deed was their carrying off the town records. 
We shall have great trouble in settling property 
claims after this. 

“Now, dear Alice, I hope you have not become 
a stronger Tory since going to New York. You 
must remember there is somebody whose heart 
would break if you did, not mine, although 
I would shed a few tears, but some one else who 
is a more useful patriot than I will ever be. All 
the old servants that you left behind are well. 
I see CufFy every day and have read your letter 
to him three times and may have to do so again. 
I saw the Hunter girls last Saturday, and they asked 
very kindly about you. They never knew, until 
I told them, that Mr. Stanley was your brother 
and you can imagine their surprise. We have 
another fearful winter before us and I dread it 
terribly. When will this war and trouble be over 
It seems now as if there never had been anything 


ALICE BRENTON 


but war and misery as long as I can remember. 
Give my best love to dear Mrs. Almy. Tell her 
that she is greatly missed by all her friends and, 
dear Alice, accept a large share of love for yourself 
from your comrade old and tried. Father sends 
his respects to both of you and unites with me 
in hoping that the time is not far distant when we 
shall be reunited. Hoping to hear from you soon 
I remain your devoted friend, 

Margaret Champlin.” 

The winter passed and the anticipated attack 
was not made on New York. For the loyalists 
time had passed pleasantly enough, but the tales 
of suffering in New Jersey and the outlying 
districts, which were repeated with exultation 
by the British officers, made Alice’s heart ache. 
On the day after Christmas General Clinton 
set sail for South Carolina to attack Charleston. 
News came of the success of the British both in the 
North and South and a speedy ending of the war 
was predicted, with the restoration of the Colonies 
to King George. One day late in spring Captain 
Stanley called to see his sister and after his usual 
greeting and inquiries after Mrs. Almy’s health, 

316 


ALICE BRENTON 


he said: “Alice, what do you think of taking 
a voyage to England ? Lady Mary Erskine is 
about to embark, so her husband tells me, and 
it will be a good opportunity for you to avail 
yourself of her protection.” 

“Oh, I could never think of leaving America, 
Alfred, do not speak of it. What would Aunt 
Abigail do without me } Besides I want to wait 
until the war is over and the sea is safe for travel.” 

“ Do not talk nonsense, Alice,” said her brother. 
“America is nothing to you, you are an English 
girl; and as for Mrs. Almy, she will be safe enough 
without you. Then, the seas were never as safe 
as they are at present. The rebels have no navy 
to speak of, only blustering privateers, and they 
are busy watching for the supply ships going to 
General Clinton. You will go in an armed vessel, 
well equipped for fighting, so that no half-cocked 
privateer will dare approach you.” 

Alice’s face grew very pale. “I do not want 
to go, Alfred. You say America is nothing to me, 
but you are mistaken; it is everything to me, 
particularly in these troublous times. Although 
I would like to see my brother and sister I would 

317 


ALICE BRENTON 


much rather stay here until peace is declared.” 

Alfred grew impatient. ‘‘You are a foolish 
child, Alice. It is much better for you to go now 
and stay until the rebellion is conquered, then 
when everything is quiet and peaceful again you 
can return and see your friends.” 

“ I would much rather wait,” she said perversely. 

“Now, Alice, listen. The war cannot last very 
long, but I am likely to be called to the South 
at any moment and that would leave you un- 
protected. How much better for you to go to our 
brother in England and remain there until the 
war is over.” 

“ I would have Aunt Abigail,” said Alice. 

“Your aunt, as you call her, would be but a 
weak protector. I think she can take care of 
herself, being an elderly woman, but to protect 
a young girl is a different matter. Now, sister, 
be sensible; I have been very much perplexed 
concerning you and this seems to me the best 
way out of my dilemma. The rebels cannot hold 
out very long, they are being beaten everlastingly. 
All through the South it has been one continued 
victory for the King’s troops. George Washington, 

318 


ALICE BRENTON 


himself, will soon be captured and hung, and 
in the confusion of reorganizing the new Colonial 
government and placing and transferring troops 
you will find it very disagreeable. Of course 
I know your heart is with Miss Peggy and Mrs. 
Almy, but after all your own family should claim 
your first duty.’* 

Alice thought for a few moments, but not of 
Miss Peggy and Aunt Abigail. Her heart was 
far away among the half-starved, poorly clad 
soldiers of the Colonies, where a Rhode Island 
officer was fighting for the liberties of his native 
land. At last she said, 

“You would not prevent my returning to 
America at the close of the war if I so desired ?” 

“No, my dear sister, if you still cling to memories 
of your childhood’s home and the family of your 
adoption, you shall be at liberty to return,” 
answered Captain Stanley, at the same time 
thinking to himself that he would do his best to 
have her weaned from early ties and promote 
stronger and dearer ones in the old country. 

“Will you swear it, brother.?” she said. 

He laughed as he answered, “Certainly, I 


ALICE BRENTON 


will, but my word is as good as my oath, and I 
will guarantee that our brother will uphold me 
in anything I may promise.” 

‘‘Then I will go,” she said. 

The Captain was satisfied and explained to her 
that a fine ship, the Osprey, was about to sail 
from New York for Portsmouth, England, and 
Lady Mary had engaged passage upon her for 
herself and child and maid; besides there was 
another passenger, an old friend, Charley Welland, 
who was going home on sick leave. He had been 
wounded in a fight with a privateer and for his 
courage had been promoted to the rank of captain, 
but his wound being serious he was now going 
to England for better treatment. 

“Beatrice will be doubly happy,” Alfred said. 
Alice only sighed. Her brother could sympathize 
with Beatrice, — ^why could he not feel for her 
So in a few days everything was arranged. 
Lady Mary was delighted at the prospect of having 
Alice for a companion on the voyage, but poor 
Aunt Abigail said nothing. She tried to look 
cheerful and not throw a damper over the depart- 
ure of the girl who had become so dear to her 


320 


ALICE BRENTON 


childless heart; but in the privacy of her own 
room she shed bitter tears. The cause for which 
she hoped so much was nearly lost — so she had been 
led to think — and added to the death of her sister 
now came the loss of this dear child, and she would 
be left in a strange town among those whose way 
of thinking was opposed to hers. 

The first thing Alice did after her agreement 
to go to England was to write a long letter to Peggy. 
In it she poured forth her grief at leaving America 
and promised faithfully to return. In a postscript 
she added, ‘‘If you ever see a certain person, H. C., 
tell him I shall never forget my promise and I 
pray God that we may meet again.” 


21 


321 


CHAPTER XXII 


The Osprey glided gracefully down New 
York Bay and through the Narrows into the broad 
Atlantic. Alice watched the receding shores 
of America with dimmed eyes. If she could 
have had but one chance to bid farewell to Harry 
Cranston or to even send him a letter her de- 
parture would not have been so bitter. To be 
sure Peggy would tell him but that was at best 
but unsatisfactory. She stood alone; for all the 
lady passengers had gone below, and the few men 
were busy examining the ship, for the Osprey 
was an unusually fine one, and more like a man- 
of-war than a passenger ship. There were two 
classes of passengers on board, those in the 
steerage being mainly privates and their wives, 
who were returning to their old homes, with a 
few additions from the lower walks of life. 

Alice stood where she could look over among 
these people. At first they amused her, then 
certain acts of coarseness repelled her. She had 


322 


ALICE BRENTON 


been carefully raised, and an inherited refinement 
peculiar to the aristocracy made her shrink from 
all vulgarity. A man was, to all appearances, 
parrying jokes with a woman, whose back was 
turned towards her. The woman’s answers must 
have been spicy for the man laughed immoderately. 
Then the woman leaned forward and gave him 
a slap on the shoulder and turned to flee from him. 
As she turned Alice saw her face distinctly; it 
was Moll Bowman. 

Moll at the same moment saw her, but she gave 
no evidence of recognition for the man was fast 
chasing her up and she was obliged to dodge him 
several times before she escaped him by going 
down below. The discovery that Moll was on 
the same ship gave Alice a terrible fright. She 
knew why the dreadful woman was crossing the 
Atlantic. Her destination was in all probability 
the same as her own. What could she do ? 
Nothing while on the ship, but after landing in 
England she must do her best to avert any danger 
that might threaten her family through this 
wicked, but unfortunate woman. A longing to 
speak to Moll seized her, and her first impulse 


323 


ALICE BRENTON 


was to seek an officer and ask to have the w’oman 
brought to her. She could never think of asking 
to be allowed to go, herself, into that horrible 
steerage, but on a second thought she asked 
herself why she should wish to speak with Moll. 
To tell her of the relationship and throw herself 
and family on the mercy of such a person would 
be madness, and there was really nothing else 
to say to her. It would be better to wait, she 
reasoned. The voyage would be long and an 
opportunity might occur in which she could gain 
some influence over Moll. She had almost suc- 
ceeded in doing so once at Newport when she had 
hid and fed her at the Brenton House. A message 
from Lady Mary called her below and diverted 
her mind from her disagreeable thoughts. The 
first qualms of sea-sickness were upon the oc- 
cupants of the cabin and she found all she could 
do in helping the prostrated ones to their berths. 
As for herself she felt no inconvenience by being 
on the sea, and Lady Mary found her invaluable 
as a nurse and companion, when herself and maid 
were suffering from seasickness. 

As the days passed on and the weather con- 


324 


ALICE BRENTON 


tinued fine, one by one the passengers recovered 
and were able to go on deck. Lady Mary was 
among the first, and one day, as she sat beside 
Alice, watching the glorious expanse of sky and 
sea, she said, “Alice, you are a very lovely girl. 
I admired you when in New York, but since we 
have been companions on this voyage, my heart 
has gone out to you as to a younger sister.’’ 

Alice blushed with pleasure, for Lady Mary 
Erskine was a woman whose love and esteem was 
no mean prize. She expressed her gratification 
and appreciation, at the same time modestly 
disclaiming any merit of her own. Lady Mary 
replied, “I do not wonder that your brother is 
so wrapped up in you; but, do I understand, 
my dear, that you have never seen your other 
brother and your sister in England 

“ I have never seen them,” answered Alice. “ I 
was shipwrecked when a young child on the 
Rhode Island coast. My parents were both 
lost and I was picked up and adopted into the 
family of a good and high-born gentleman, by 
whom I was brought up as carefully as were his 
own children. My two brothers and my sister 


325 


ALICE BRENTON 


were left in England with their grandparents 
and it was only when my brother Alfred came 
to America chat he discovered me by accident/* 

^‘How wonderful! It sounds like a page out 
of a fairy romance; tell me all about it. Who 
were those lovely people who brought you up ? 
How thankful the Stanleys must be that you fell 
into such good hands. It would have been 
horrible if you had fallen into the hands of some 
fisherman and had grown up in ignorance in 
a miserable hut, with nothing but low tastes.” 

Alice related the story of her childhood and 
early youth in Newport. She described the 
Brenton family and their luxurious mode of life 
before the war, the faithful black slaves, and her 
beloved and dainty little mare Nellie. As she 
spoke the tears flowed fast, and Lady Mary 
took her hand and pressed it tenderly. Then she 
told of some of the events of her life and the name 
of Peggy Champlin came in, colored with all the 
glow of her girlish admiration. As she came to 
the account of the war and its devastations and 
the heart-breakings and partings. Lady Mary 
wept in sympathy as she said, 

326 


ALICE BRENTON 


“You have surely passed through a great deal 
of trouble, my dear, but you must cheer up now 
for you are more fortunate than most girls in hav- 
ing another home open to you now that your early 
one is broken up.” 

“Yes, I am fortunate and at the same time 
ungrateful for I would give up everything to be 
back in Newport again, with my lot cast among 
its people.” 

“Why you surprise me, Alice, what do you 
mean .^” 

The girl hid her face in her hands. 

“Dear heart, I think I understand,” Lady 
Mary said tenderly. “You have left your heart 
in that rebel town, and you are thinking of some 
young fellow who is in arms against his King. 
What a pity, when so many loyal officers are ready 
to throw themselves at your feet.” 

Alice looked up, as she said, “No pity at all, 
Harry Cranston is an officer in the Continental 
army and he is loyal to the United Colonies of 
America.” 

Lady Mary’s light silvery laugh floated over 
the water as she said, “Ah, I’ve caught you. How 


327 


ALICE BRENTON 


quick you were to resent my words and give me 
his name. Now that you have gone so far, tell 
me all about this Harry Cranston. Is he a gentle- 
man ? Have you known him long V 

Alice replied that he was not only a gentleman 
but of noble descent, being descended from the 
Scottish Lord Cranston, and she had known him 
all her life, at least from her childhood. 

Little by little the lady drew from Alice a 
description of the American officer, and she listened 
with sympathetic ears, but always regretting 
that he had taken the wrong side in the rebellion 
against the King. 

“I really think, Alice,’’ she said, ‘‘that you 
are somewhat of a rebel yourself, you always 
defend those people with such ardor, but I sup- 
pose it is all on account of this Captain Cranston. 
I wonder if he is very brave.” 

“Indeed, Lady Mary, he is very brave. He 
once came near unto death all through his bravery,” 
and Alice went on to tell of his daring venture 
into the town when it was held and surrounded 
by his enemies. Having told so much it was 
easy for Lady Mary to draw out the account 

328 


ALICE BRENTON 


of Alice’s own complicity in his escape and her 
subsequent capture and imprisonment by Dolby 
and Moll Bowman. 

Lady Mary clasped her hands; “My dear Alice,” 
she said, “you are a heroine. To think of my 
quiet little friend doing such a daring deed, and 
all for the sake of a rebel lover. It is worthy of 
a damsel in the olden times, in the days of tourna- 
ments and the Holy Grail. I am really begin- 
ning to respect the Americans now that I find 
they number among them an officer who has won 
the heart of my sweet Alice. Ah, my dear child, 
after all, what is either side to us when we love I 
Let me tell you my story. You have spoken 
without reserve, I will do the same. You know 
I am the daughter of the late Earl of Bonneleigh. 
I was his eldest child, and being a daughter, 
he was anxious that I should be disposed of soon 
so as to enable him to provide for his younger 
children. A husband was selected for me, a man 
twice my age and full of infirmities, engendered 
by the dissipated life he had led. He was rich 
and my father, although an earl, was poor, so 
a bargain was made; he would give his rank and 

329 


ALICE BRENTON 


wealth, my father would bestow on him his pretty 
daughter, for I was pretty and I knew it. Some 
girls can be browbeaten into a marriage, but I 
could not, for I had met Arthur Erskine and knew 
what it was to love a good and true man. My 
father tore and stormed, and my mother looked 
so sad, with a hunted look in her eyes. She had 
never been a very demonstrative mother, but now 
she began to show me little shy kindnesses, and 
one day she told me how her sympathies were 
all with me, but it was worse than useless to plead 
for me with my father. I told her I was de- 
termined to marry no one but Arthur and if my 
father continued obdurate I would run away. 
Poor mother! she said very little, but she aided 
me more than once in meeting Arthur and at 
last when things had come to a crisis, she enabled 
me to steal away from our home and meet my 
own dear love to whom I was speedily married. 
I have never seen her since, but hope to very soon. 
My father was frantic with rage and forbade me 
ever to cross his threshold again. He is dead 
now. He died without forgiving me, but some- 
how I do not feel so sad over it for I think he acted 


ALICE BRENTON 


unjustly. My life would have been terrible had 
I married the man he selected, for he was a dread- 
ful debauchee, and I have been very happy with 
Captain Erskine. I shall meet my poor mother 
and hope to be able to comfort her declining 
years, for she has had a hard life. So you see, 
dear, I believe in following the dictates of the 
heart and I hope everything will come out right 
for you and your Continental officer.” 

“Things look very gloomy just at present,” 
said Alice, “but my brother Alfred has promised 
that after the war is over I can return to America 
and see my old friends. I live in hope of that 
time and also try to look forward to a happy 
meeting with my brother and sister in England.” 

Alice did not mention her relationship to Moll 
Bowman, nor the presence of that terrible woman 
on the ship. She could not bring herself to so 
humiliating a disclosure. 

Several days of fine weather passed and then 
there was a change. Heavy seas and a strong 
wind drove the vessel out of her course, and when 
she had almost recovered herself a new terror 
awaited her passengers and crew. Early one 


331 


ALICE BRENTON 


morning a low and rather rakish-looking craft 
appeared on the horizon. Almost as soon as 
she was discovered she turned her course in the 
direction of the Osprey. Either pirate or Yankee 
privateer she must be. The captain and officers 
decided that it was best to first try flight and then, 
if overtaken, to fight with a will. The British 
ensign was run up to the masthead, in token 
that old England was not afraid to show her 
colors. Then the stranger ran up a flag. Every 
eye was strained to identify it. 

‘‘It is the new flag of the Colonies,’’ Alice 
whispered to I^ady Mary. Others on board 
had recognized the flag, and although a privateer 
was not so much to be dreaded as a pirate, it 
was bad enough, and many a face blanched with 
fright when the new flag was thrown to the wind. 
Had there been no women and children on board, 
the captain said, he would have liked nothing 
better than to engage the new-comer in battle, 
but he had pledged himself not to endanger the 
lives of his passengers if it could be avoided, 
so crowding on as much sail as he dared, he put 
about ship and sailed away from the privateer. 


332 


ALICE BRENTON 


For several hours the distance between the two 
vessels seemed neither to lengthen nor diminish. 
In the afternoon heavy clouds overspread the sky 
and the wind and sea grew wilder. 

They were many miles out of their course by 
this time and still heading southeast. The priva- 
teer rode the waves much more easily than did the 
Osprey, and as the latter struggled and was 
impeded by the storm, the former began to per- 
ceptibly gain upon her. All was intense excitement 
and alarm on board. As the clouds grew darker, 
streaks of forked lightning were seen darting 
across them, and the rolling peals of thunder 
added to the terror of the passengers, who clutched 
each other in their fright. 

Now the privateer at last showed signs of 
flagging. She began to take in sail, which the 
Osprey should have done some time before. 
When it was almost too late the captain gave 
the order, and just as it was executed a heavy 
sea washed over her decks. 

All the passengers who had dared to remain 
on deck were ordered below, and none too soon, 
for the storm now broke into an awful fury, which 


333 


ALICE BRENTON 


lasted until night closed in. All night the rain 
descended, and after the thunder and light- 
ning had ceased the raging wind succeeded in 
almost totally dismantling the ship, so that she 
tossed helplessly on the angry waves. 


334 


CHAPTER XXIII 


When morning broke not a sign of the privateer 
could be seen. Had she succumbed to the storm 
and foundered ^ Many on board thought she 
had, but there was not much time for thinking 
of an enemy’s misfortunes, the condition of the 
Osprey was too critical. Her masts were gone 
and she was leaking badly. The sailors and the 
male passengers took turns all through the day 
at the pumps, but the water was steadily gaining 
in the hold. Towards night the sea became 
partially calm and the captain endeavored to 
quiet the fears of the passengers. The terror 
of some of the ladies of the cabin was heart- 
rending and it was augmented by the screams 
of the women in the steerage. Half the night 
this continued and the pumps kept on working. 
Near midnight Alice crept up on deck. No one 
noticed her and she stole softly to the bulwarks. 
To her horror she found that the vessel had sunk 
so low in the water that she could touch the waves. 


335 


ALICE BRENTON 


As she stood there some one took hold of her 
arm, and on turning to see who it was, she recog- 
nized Moll Bowman. 

“We are pretty near Davy Jones’ locker,” 
said Moll. 

Alice, for a second recoiled from Moll, but 
quickly recovering herself, she said, “ It is terrible. 
Does not the captain know that we are liable at 
any moment to go down 

“I don’t know how much he knows, but I 
know the ship has not many minutes to float. 
The men are all tired out; half of them are pump- 
ing, the other half are resting, so they trust to the 
captain to say when the old hulk shall be aban- 
doned. Do you see this boat ^ Well my plan is 
to have her ready when the time comes.” 

The boat touched the water from where it hung 
and Moll had partially cut the ropes which held her 
and had also placed a pair of oars in her. Look- 
ing intently at Alice, she said, “I tried to persuade 
some of those fools in the steerage to come with 
me and escape in her, but they were so afraid 
of the captain and thought I did not know any- 
thing, but I know enough about ships, having 

336 


ALICE BRENTON 


been so much with sailors, to know that when 
this craft goes down she will make a whirlpool 
that will carry everything with her, so I am going 
to wait until the last minute, and then I cut these 
ropes and away I go. Will you come with me, 
Alice Brenton 

‘‘I cannot go without Lady Mary and her little 
child, she has been good to me and I cannot 
desert her.’’ 

“Well, get your Lady Mary and be quick. 
I don’t know why I should wait for either you or 
her, but somehow, Alice Brenton, you have put 
me under an obligation to you, and as I told you 
once, I never forget, but hark ! What is that 
and she caught Alice by the arm. 

Above the other noises on the ship rose the 
voices of men in violent altercations. 

“I tell you, captain, it is murder, rank murder, 
to delay one moment longer in lowering the boats. 
I insist upon it that they shall be immediately 
made ready and filled with the helpless passengers 
on this doomed ship.” 

“No, Welland, you do not know what you are 
talking about, the ship will float for days and we 

337 


n 


ALICE BRENTON 


shall get picked up eventually. I think I know 
how to run my ship without your help.’’ 

‘‘You’re a damned obstinate fool, and I believe 
drunk besides, I shall have you seized and put 
in irons, and take command myself.” 

“You will, will you? Pray where did you 
learn to command a ship on the high seas ?” 

“I learned it as an officer in the Royal Navy, 
so now be quick and provision the boats and see 
that they are lowered.” 

“I’ll see you in hell first,” roared the captain. 

Alice struggled to get free from Moll, but the 
latter held her fast. 

“Don’t you move,” she said. 

“Why r asked Alice. 

“There is more danger than you think or that 
navy officer would not get so flustered. If you 
go below, the ship may go down while you are 
there, and then you are surely doomed.” 

“But I must get to Lady Mary!” 

“Don’t lose your own life and do her no good 
either. I tried to persuade some of the steerage 
folks to come with me, but they would not, so they 
take their chances now. I don’t stir from beside 

338 


ALICE BRENTON 


this boat and you don’t either, Alice Brenton, you 
saved me once and I vowed I’d get even with you. 
I have my chance now and I’ll not let you go.” 

“Oh, Moll, I cannot leave Lady Mary, let me 
go, I will not be gone more than a minute.” 

“No, not a step! there’s something on foot 
aboard this ship. That young officer has pulled 
a hornet’s nest about the captain’s ears, if I should 
judge by the sounds I hear. Quick, before they 
come this way, or some desperate ones who have 
waked up to their danger will get the boat from 
us!” 

She lifted Alice in her strong arms and flung 
her into the boat and like a flash was into it herself 
and the remaining shreds of the ropes cut. Before 
Alice could recover herself enough to scream 
the black hull of the ship was discernible many 
yards away from them. 

She gave one fierce, agonized scream, but Moll 
only laughed. 

“No use in screaming, you’re safer than they 
are and they have too much to think of on that 
ship just now to mind a hundred screams.” 

The moon now came out bright from behind 


339 


ALICE BRENTON 


a cloud and they could plainly see the wreck 
slowly drifting away from them. 

‘‘Oh, Moll, what have you done.?’’ cried Alice. 

“ I’ve done you a good turn, I’m thinking. Ah, 
do you see that ?” 

Alice threw up her hands in horror. The ship 
had sunk. Nothing remained to indicate that 
she had once been on the bosom of the water, 
but the spreading, circular waves caused by the 
vortex which she had made. The two women 
were alone upon the sea in a frail boat and wholly 
unprotected from the elements. 

Her own position never occurred to Alice. All 
she could think of was the dreadful fate of her 
fellow voyagers. Gallant Charley Welland, the 
betrothed husband of her sister, was gone and 
Lady Mary, too, with her beautiful little child. 
She thought of Beatrice at home in England 
awaiting her lover’s return and Lady Mary’s 
mother, the sad old countess, who would never 
see her daughter again. So many hopes went 
when that black, dismantled hull sank beneath 
the waves. She buried her face in her hands 
and wept bitterly. 


340 


ALICE BRENTON 


Moll crept up close to her and said with a 
touch of tenderness, 

‘'Don’t cry, we could not have saved them. It 
was all the fault of that pig-headed captain. It’s 
too bad we could not have saved that fine officer. 
He was the only clear-headed man on the ship.” 

“Moll, it is dreadful, dreadful. That noble 
ship that we embarked in, with her load of human 
beings, all gone, and only you and I left! Why 
did you not leave me to sink with her 

“Because I meant to get even with you, I told 
you. Now just be reasonable, and rest a bit. 
We’ll get picked up before long and who knows 
what good luck may be in store for you.” 

Had the sea been rough it would have fared 
badly with Alice and Moll. As it was, the latter, 
who knew something about the water and the 
management of boats, kept the litde craft rightly 
headed to ride the waves. Alice took but little in- 
terest in their safety. In her grief over the loss of 
her friends and the horror of the catastrophe she 
lost interest in her own life. Moll tried to cheer 
her in a rough way and finally insisted that she 
should lie down and rest. 


341 


ALICE BRENTON 


** Here is an old cloak for a pillow and a tarpaulin 
to cover you. I threw them into the boat when no 
one was looking. You must take a nap and after 
you wake up I will take one, that is if no ship 
heaves in sight,” said Moll as she folded up the 
cloak and made Alice lie down. There, now 
you are snug and safe, stop crying, and when 
morning dawns you will thank Moll Bowman 
and your own lucky stars that you are not at the 
bottom of the sea.” 

Alice mechanically obeyed. Sleep would for 
a time render her oblivious of her dreadful situa- 
tion and shut out sad thoughts, so she let Moll 
cover her with the tarpaulin and she soon sobbed 
herself to sleep. 

The sun was rising when she awoke. The 
rose-colored clouds were dispersing themselves 
across the heavens and reflecting in the broad 
expanse of water making it a beautiful world 
upon which she opened her eyes. Moll’s words 
of greeting were pleasant and she made haste 
to produce some food, a jar of water, and a flask 
of liquor. 

‘T did not forget that whoever embarked in 


342 


ALICE BRENTON 


this boat was likely to have a stomach so I cribbed 
these things from the galley when every one was 
excited over the pumps. Now take a bite and a 
very little water for we must go easy with it so 
that it may last the longer.’’ 

‘‘Oh, how grateful I should be to you, Moll, 
you have been so thoughtful. I will eat a little 
and try to feel hopeful just to show my gratitude,” 
and Alice began to nibble one of the biscuits. 
The food and sunshine gave her renewed life and 
she volunteered to take charge while Moll slept. 

The sun poured down its rays of intense heat 
upon her uncovered head and she was forced 
to improvise a covering out of her handkerchief. 
She scanned the horizon for a sail, and all day 
long she was practically alone upon the deep, 
Moll being completely worn out from exhaustion. 
Unlike most of the women on the ship she had 
not been willing to trust to the captain and sailors 
for information regarding the safety of the ship, 
and she set to work finding things out for herself. 
In the confusion succeeding the storm the steerage 
passengers moved about freely all over the deck, 
and Moll with her sharp eyes for everything 


343 


ALICE BRENTON 


nautical, soon discovered that the danger was 
greater than the captain would admit. To do 
her justice it is only fair to say that she tried to 
impress upon her fellow voyagers the sense of their 
imperilled position, but being a woman, and 
one of doubtful character, her council was dis- 
regarded and even scorned. This did not deter 
her from working and she prepared the boat 
while every one was either indifferent or bewailing. 
From the time the storm began she had scarcely 
slept and now nature asserted itself and she 
slumbered on all day while Alice watched. 

The stars had begun to appear when she awoke. 

‘‘Why did you let me sleep so long I have 
lain like a log all day, and you must be tired to 
death,” she said as she sat up and stretched her 
benumbed body. 

“I am not very tired and you slept so soundly 
I had not the heart to wake you. It has been a 
beautiful, clear day and I have watched carefully 
for the sight of a sail, but none appeared. Had 
I seen one I would have awakened you.” 

“Well, I feel refreshed now and you must 
sleep. Have you eaten anything all day .^” 

344 


ALICE BRENTON 


“Only a biscuit, I did not feel hungry and I 
like company when I eat/' 

“Well I am as hungry as a shark, but I must 
not eat with a shark's appetite. Let's get the 
biscuits and the water out and we'll nibble away 
sorter genteelly. You'll be a better hand at that 
than me. I'll be bound, but I'll watch you and not 
eat too much," said Moll. 

After eating their frugal fare they sat in silence 
for some time, watching the stars and waves. 
In Alice's mind many grave fears had arisen. 
The possibility of being attacked by some great 
monster of the deep occurred to her and a great 
storm, like the one they had been through, might 
arise and engulf them; but what she dreaded most 
was a lingering death from starvation in case no 
means of rescue was at hand. She did not give 
utterance to her fears and Moll said nothing to 
indicate that she dreaded the future. 

At last Moll broke the silence by recommending 
that Alice should now sleep while she kept watch, 
and soon the young girl was again reposing under 
the tarpaulin while one woman gazed alone at 
the stars and looked out on the night. 

345 


CHAPTER XXIV 


The morning of the fourth day dawned; and 
Alice and Moll saw the sun rise clear and bright 
out of the sea. They had eaten their last biscuit 
the night before and nothing remained to break 
their fast but a small quantity of water in the 

jar- 

The starvation which Alice had been dreading 
was now staring them in the face. 

“If we could only meet a ship/’ she sighed. 
Moll sighed in assent, but she did not say that 
there were some ships that it were as well they 
should not meet, she only modified in her own 
mind the wish that they might meet some friendly 
ship. For herself she cared but little. She could 
make friends with pirates and freebooters. In 
fact she had many an admirer sailing the seas 
under the black flag, but the few days she had 
spent in company with the good and pure girl 
beside her made her concerned for that girl’s 
safety. 


346 


ALICE BRENTON 


The low diet upon which she had been living 
for several days had begun to tell upon Alice 
and she was languid and listless. 

She would gladly meet death now, anything 
rather than lingering torture under the summer sun. 

Moll suddenly looked up from the rope which 
she was mechanically coiling in the prow of the 
boat and said, 

‘‘Do you know the errand which was taking 
me to England ?” 

“To revenge yourself upon your relatives,” 
answered Alice. 

“ How do you know ?” 

“You told me you intended doing so, when you 
related to me your story that day in your cottage 
on the shore.” 

“Yes, I remember. I hated you then, Alice 
Brenton, just as I still hate those haughty relatives 
of mine.” 

“ Do you hate me now, Moll ?” 

“No, I don’t. There is something about you 
that almost makes me love you. Not because 
you helped me when I was in distress, but a feeling 
comes over me like that which I used to feel for 


347 


ALICE BRENTON 


my mother when I was a little child. Perhaps 
it is because you are good. My mother was good, 
I don’t care what people said of her. She had 
the kindest heart that ever beat and she never 
grew bitter in spite of all her wrongs. You may 
despise her, Alice Brenton, but she was as good 
as pure gold.” 

‘‘I do not despise her, Moll. I have thought 
often of her and her sufferings since you told 
me about her, and I cannot express how I have 
felt for her and for you too,” said Alice, the 
tears starting from her eyes. 

Moll said hurriedly, ‘^Don’t cry, you are too 
tender-hearted, and as I said I cannot see why you 
should have any pity for me or any of my kind.” 

‘^Do you remember that I once said I would 
tell you why I pitied you if you should ever come 
to love me .?” asked Alice. 

“Yes, I believe you did, and now that I have 
confessed to having a tender feeling toward you 
perhaps you will keep your word.” 

“Do you think, Moll, that you could ever 
entertain any affection for one of your English 
relatives ?” 


348 


ALICE BRENTON 


‘‘Never, I hate them root and branch!” 

“Suppose one of them did you a service and 
showed you affection.” 

“Such a thing could not be. They are aristo- 
crats, and they could not; and they would neither 
do me a service nor show me affection,” Moll 
answered vehemently. 

“Those who are living now may be different 
from your grandmother’s brother and his wife.” 

“Not a bit different. Was that girl cousin 
who spurned my mother any different from her 
parents .f*” 

Alice’s lips grew white as she said, 

“The girl may not have understood. In fact 
her parents may have been misled as to your 
grandmother. Who knows but what that high- 
wayman caused them to be informed that she 
took up with him of her own accord ? I have 
thought it all over and I think there must have 
been some terrible mistake or misrepresentation.” 

“I never thought of that. The highwayman 
was a devil, I am sure. He was my grandfather, 
and from him I suppose I take all my fiendishness. 
That is the reason I am so bent on revenge. 


349 


ALICE BRENTON 


though I don’t seem to be in a likely way of getting 
it just at present.” 

‘‘Moll, let me repeat. Suppose one of your 
relatives did you a service and showed you affec- 
tion, would you still feel evilly disposed towards 
that person ?” 

“ I tell you that could not be, no one cares for me.” 

“I care for you, Moll. Suppose I was one of 
these relatives ?” 

“Don’t suppose anything of the kind. You, 
Alice Brenton, the only human being besides 
my mother who ever showed me a kindness of 
the right sort, a relation! one of the cold, cruel 
Edgemoors!” 

“But I am, I am your second cousin.” 

“What!” and Moll’s whole frame quivered. 

“Yes,” answered Alice slowly. “You may 
take your revenge now, Moll, for it is true. My 
mother was the cousin who spurned your poor 
mother’s advances, but I would say this to all 
eternity, she was not intentionally cruel.” 

For several seconds neither spoke. Alice sat 
very still, but Moll was in a tumult of emotion. 
At last the latter said: 


350 


ALICE BRENTON 


^‘How do you know all this, and who are you 
anyway ? I remember to have heard that you 
were not a real Brenton, but where did you come 
from, and what were you doing in America ?” 

“The story is very long and you must be calm 
while I tell it, then you can throw me into the sea 
and the first step towards your revenge will be 
taken. It matters little to me how I die, for 
death is inevitable.” 

“Go on,” said Moll. 

Then Alice told of her rescue from the sea by 
the Brentons and her adoption into the family, 
not omitting to tell of the locket and the minia- 
tures which helped afterwards to identify her. 
She told how her brother met her and recognized 
the locket and how he was struck by her resem- 
blance to the sister in England. She told Moll 
that she knew all about her origin before she was 
captured by Dolby and his confederates and 
that accounted for the agitation she exhibited 
when the name of Edgemoor was mentioned 
in MolFs recital of her unhappy history. 

“Then that young English officer was your 
brother,” said Moll, “and I thought he was 

351 


ALICE BRENTON 


in love with you. I told as much to Harry Cran- 
ston and sent him off in the dumps.” 

‘‘Oh, how could you, Moll.?” exclaimed Alice. 

“Well Fm sorry for it now, but if I remember 
rightly I think I told him that you did not seem 
to favor the Red-coat overmuch and that you 
seemed mighty pleased when you heard of the 
escape of Colonel Harry Cranston.” 

“Well, it matters but little now,” said Alice. 
“I shall never see Harry again, and perhaps 
sometime he may hear that Alfred Stanley was 
my brother and then he will understand.” 

“While there’s life there’s hope,” said Moll, 
“and, by all that’s holy, if there isn’t a sail over 
on the horizon!” 

“A sail! Never, no sail will ever appear to us! 
I have given up hope,” said Alice, without turning 
in the direction indicated by her companion. 

“But there is a sail, look, and I really think 
it begins to look bigger. I wonder if we could 
make them see us. Give me an oar, there!” 

As Moll spoke she hoisted the old cloak on the 
oar and awaited developments. The sea was 
calm and the sun shone brightly. Surely the dark 

352 


ALICE BRENTON 


cloak would show up distinctly on the blue waves. 
They waited several minutes. The ship appeared 
to grow larger. 

“She is heading for us/’ said Moll. 

Alice watched the ship with straining eyes, 
as it came on, growing larger every minute, 
Moll resolutely waving the cloak. 

“What did I tell you ?” said the brave woman. 
“They see us and we will soon be saved.” 

“She is a fast sailer,” Alice at length said. 

“You may well say so, and in my opinion she 
is a Yankee privateer,” answered Moll. 

“A privateer! That is terrible.” 

“Not so bad after all. If she should happen 
to be a pirate you might be scared, but a privateer 
is a friend. Why, she might be a Rhode Island 
ship and then what good luck!” 

As the vessel approached they could see her 
low, rakish build, and both Alice and Moll were 
familiar enough with sailing craft to know that 
it was characteristic of pirates and privateers. 

“She is lowering a boat,” cried Alice, and she 
became very much excited. The fearful uncer- 
tainty as to what the ship might be had com- 

” 353 


ALICE BRENTON 


pletely unstrung her nerves, and she could scarcely 
control herself. Should the newcomer prove 
a pirate she felt that her life had only been pro- 
longed for future misery. 

“Don’t get scared,” said Moll. “Don’t you 
see she carries a flag, and it is not black either, 
it’s the flag of the United Colonies, the stars and 
stripes.” 

Sure enough, a flag was floating in the breeze, 
the circle of stars on the ground-work of blue 
and the red and white stripes. 

Neither of the two girls had become familiar 
enough with the new flag to feel the thrilling 
enthusiasm at the sight of it that an American 
of the present day would feel, but a relief was 
experienced by each of them. To Alice came 
the thought that under the flag for which Harry 
Cranston fought she must find succor and pro- 
tection. It did not take many strokes of the oars 
to bring the ship’s boat to the two waifs of the 
sea and strong arms were held out to them in aid. 
The surprise of the men at finding two women 
adrift on the sea was unbounded, so was also 
that of the captain of the ship, but his astonish- 


354 



“Father, dear father! Am I dreaming? Do I see my own 
dear father again ? ” 




ALICE BRENTON 


ment was greater when he recognized them as 
they stepped on board. 

“Miss Brenton and Moll Bowman!’* he ex- 
claimed, flavoring his words with a resounding 
oath. 

“ Captain Dennis, is this your ship Are we 
among friends ?” asked Alice in a trembling 
voice. 

“This is my ship, the Gadfly of Rhode Island, 
and every man jack on board is a friend to the 
prettiest girl on the shore of Narragansett Bay, 
but one is here who is more than a friend. Let 
him speak for himself.” 

The crowd of seamen parted and an old gentle- 
man made his way through their midst towards 
where Alice was standing. 

“Father, dear father! Am I dreaming.^ Do 
I see my own dear father again ?” and she threw 
her arms around the neck of Jahleel Brenton. 

“Alice, my little daughter! Adrift on the 
Atlantic Ocean!” exclaimed Mr. Brenton. 

Eager as were the crew of the Gadfly to learn 
the circumstances of Alice’s adventures they were 
too well disciplined by the intrepid Captain 

355 


ALICE BRENTON 


Dennis to linger away from their duties, and soon 
the father and daughter were at liberty to talk 
quietly without listeners. The captain, however, 
asserted to himself privileges which he denied 
to his men and after a few minutes he came forward 
and made bold to suggest that Miss Brenton and 
her companion must need food and rest after 
their long exposure and hunger. This called 
the old gentleman’s attention to Moll Bowman. 
His face darkened. 

'‘How came you to be in this woman’s com- 
pany he asked Alice. 

"Father, this woman is my preserver. She 
has saved my life. Be good to her for my sake.” 
Then turning to Captain Dennis, she said, "Cap- 
tain, please treat Moll Bowman with the same 
consideration with which you treat me. I ask 
it because she is a brave woman.” 

"A request of Miss Brenton’s becomes a law 
on my ship. Our accommodations are not par- 
ticularly suited to a lady’s tastes, but you shall 
have the best the Gadfly affords. I have ordered 
my cabin boy to fix up my cabin and it shall 
be at your disposal. The other gal shall be 

356 


ALICE BRENTON 


treated just as you say. You can share the 
cabin with her or she can have the next best 
one. At present you had both better have a 
bite to eat for you must be famished.’* 


357 


CHAPTER XXV 


The captain led the way down below where 
food and wine were set before them and for the 
first time in many days Alice felt a sense of secur- 
ity and ease which did more than the refresh- 
ments towards reviving both mind and body. 
The captain still more added to his kindness by 
ordering one of the sailors to bring forward a 
chest which he opened and displayed to the won- 
dering eyes of Alice and Moll a collection of fem- 
inine apparel. 

‘T don’t know the use of all these ’ere things. 
Perhaps you do, and if so, you gals are welcome 
to them. We caught a pirate off the Bahamas 
last year and sent him to Kingdom Come, but not 
before we rifled his stores. Among other things 
was this chest that most likely belonged once to 
some great lady who walked the plank for the 
amusement of that devilish pirate, so you might 
as well divide the pretty things between you two. 
From the looks of things it seems as if you did not 

358 


ALICE BRENTON 


take much with you when you escaped from the 
sinking ship/’ 

Alice at first shrank from decking herself out 
in the clothes of some poor dead woman whose 
fate had probably been a most tragic one, but she 
was sadly in need of a few garments and so de- 
cided to help herself to a few necessary things. 
Moll had no such compunction and greedily 
began to overhaul the costly silk gowns and laces, 
holding one after the other up for inspection. 

‘‘We’ll divide even,” she said. 

‘‘No, Moll, I will only take what linen I need, 
a pair of shoes, and a decent gown and shawl. 
You may have all the rest. I would not take 
anything were it not that I am in abject want of 
clothing,” answered Alice. Moll looked up sur- 
prised and remonstrated a little, but it was not 
very hard for Alice to overrule her, and very soon 
she appeared decked out in a robe of flowering 
silk, high-heeled slippers and silken hose. 

“How can you countenance such a vulgar 
wretch ?” said Mr. Brenton, as he led Alice up on 
deck preparatory to a long explanation as to the 
presence of each on the high seas. 

359 


ALICE BRENTON 


‘‘She is not to blame for her barbarous tastes,’* 
answered Alice. “ We must remember her bringing 
up. Then she saved my life and has been very 
kind to me. Besides all this, there is a bond 
between that wretched Moll Bowman and myself 
that makes it my duty to befriend her. I have 
much to tell you, father, for many things have 
happened, and I have had revealed to me so much 
since I last saw you. But first tell me how you 
happened to be on this Yankee privateer. When 
you sailed away from Newport you were a Tory 
of the Tories, now I find you sailing the seas with 
Captain Dennis, the boldest privateersman that 
ever went out of Narragansett Bay.” 

“It’s not a very long story, daughter, after all. 
I got tired of Halifax and after son Jahleel wrote 
telling of the death of my dear wife, I grew restless 
and nothing would do but I must go to Bermuda, 
where your two sisters, Mary and Abigail, are 
settled. The vessel I sailed in was a small sloop 
and I was the only passenger. As luck would have 
it, we were overhauled by this same Gadfly, and 
all our cargo was seized. The captain, the crew, 
and myself were transferred to the privateer and 

360 


ALICE BRENTON 


our poor little sloop was sunk. When William 
Dennis saw me he was all politeness and treated 
me as an old neighbor should, but for some time 
I accepted but little from him. I was as mad 
as a hornet, but he is a jolly good fellow so I 
am getting reconciled to going back with him to 
old Newport and facing the rebels again. Now 
tell me your story. I cannot make out why 
my little girl should be crossing the ocean, and 
getting wrecked, and then bobbing round in an 
open boat with the most notorious woman in 
Rhode Island.” 

It was a long story which the young girl had 
to tell her adopted father and the old gentleman 
listened with astonishment, interrupting every 
now and then with ejaculations of surprise. 

‘‘ So the little girl comes of a noble family,” 
he exclaimed. ‘‘I always knew there was good 
blood in you, but this is very distressing about 
the Bowman woman. You can never acknowledge 
her as a relative and I am afraid she will be likely 
to give you some trouble.” 

“ Moll saved my life,” Alice said decisively, 
“ and I do not think she will interfere with me 

361 


ALICE BRENTON 


at all. I shall certainly try to do something for 
her and I think I can persuade my brother to join 
me for she certainly has proved herself worthy 
of all the kindness we can show to her.’’ 

“You are a kind, tender-hearted little maid, 
Alice, and I only regret that in finding your own 
family you will cease to call yourself my daughter.” 

“ I say to you, as I said to dear mother before 
she died, that I shall never cease to be a daughter 
to those who cared for me in my childhood. I 
can never bring myself to write my name as other 
than Alice Brenton. In New York I was called 
Miss Stanley, also on board the Osprey, but I 
scarcely recognized myself.” 

Mr. Brenton looked pleased. He was very 
fond of the fair girl, who had been a daughter to 
him for so many years, and it recalled happier 
days to have her sitting beside him holding his 
hand and protesting that he was her father still. 
Soon the conversation drifted to the state of the 
times and to the long-continued war. 

“ Alice, you once said you wished we were on 
the side of the Americans or something to that 
effect. I did not have much patience with you 

362 


ALICE BRENTON 


at the time, but since I have lived in Halifax 
and contrasted the indomitable spirit of the men 
of Rhode Island who opposed the Stamp Act, 
Writs of Assistance, and the Mutiny Act, with the 
subservience of many of the people there I began 
to glory in the fact that my fellow Colonists in 
Rhode Island were of the gritty kind.’’ 

The girl was silent for a few minutes, then she 
said, ‘T do not think any one ever lived who has 
been so perplexed as to which side to take in a 
political struggle as I have been. My heart went 
out from the very first to the patriots, but you 
were a Tory, and my newly found brother was 
a British officer, so what could I do .? I always 
hated myself for the part I took in transmitting 
that letter from the Glasgow to the Rose.” 

“Ah, I remember, you were a brave little maid, 
and I heard from Son-in-law John Halliburton, 
that you profited by the escort of a rank young 
rebel on your way to deliver the letter.” 

A vivid flush suflFused the face of Alice. 

“That was the meanest act of all,” she said. 

“Well, Harry was a fine fellow, I always liked 
him and I think he liked my little girl just a bit. 

363 


ALICE BRENTON 


I have often thought that something pleasant 
for both sides might have happened if the war 
had not scattered us far and wide.’’ 

‘‘I am glad you like Harry, dear father, for 
my brother is very much opposed to him,” she 
said softly. 

“Ha! so Harry has been pressing his suit, 
in spite of war and bloodshed.” 

Alice looked up shyly, as she said : 

“I have something more to tell you if you will 
listen and not be angry.” 

“Angry, who could be angry with a sweet young 
daughter just snatched for a second time from 
the clutches of the Atlantic Ocean ?” 

So Alice with much hesitation told of her meet- 
ing with Harry, of his subsequent capture by the 
British, his sentence, and then of her own daring 
act of rescue. 

“ Bravo, my little maid !” he said loudly. “ Now 
I wish you were indeed a Brenton. With such 
women as you to aid her soldiers the new republic 
must win. From this day forth I am a patriotic 
American to the backbone.” 

He had not noticed the approach of Captain 

364 


ALICE BRENTON 


Dennis until a heavy, powerful hand came down 
with a thud on his shoulder and a hearty voice 
said, ‘‘Give me your hand on that. Neighbor 
Brenton. Pve been waiting to hear that speech 
for many a long day.’^ 

A vigorous hand-shaking ensued, and so the old 
Tory changed his allegiance from the blood-red 
flag of Great Britain to the starry banner of 
America. 

“I have been thinking,^^ said the captain, “that 
I would head the Gadfly for Newport this very 
day, and if our people hold the town we’ll sail 
in with flying colors; if the British have got back 
we’ll slip in somehow.” 

Alice clapped her hands. “No fear of the British 
being back there,” she said. “They were too busy 
thinking of defending New York when I left 
America to attempt retaking Newport.” 

So the bold privateer put on all sail and skimmed 
over the summer waters of the Atlantic towards 
her island home. She was richly laden with 
treasures captured from British merchantmen 
whom she had met and destroyed in all quarters 
of the seas, and Captain Dennis might well exult 

365 


ALICE BRENTON 


in his own prowess and that of the intrepid men 
who sailed with him. Among his crew was many 
a representative of the patriotic families of New- 
port and to them Mr. Brenton went, taking a hand 
of each, and vowing allegiance to the cause for 
which they had staked their lives. 

have a son in the Royal Navy and he will 
be thundering mad when he hears that I have 
thrown up the cause of the King, but Pll be hung 
as high as Haman if I’ll uphold a king with as 
mean principles as George the Third. I’m the 
first Brenton to turn rebel, but it’s a long lane that 
has no turn, and here I am, espousing the cause 
of the United Colonies. Long live George Wash- 
ington and the stars and stripes!” 

A voyage of three weeks, during which nothing 
occurred to vary the monotony of the daily occur- 
rences on board, and they found themselves 
sighting Block Island. During the voyage Mr. 
Brenton and Alice had several conversations 
relating to Moll Bowman. Alice, in the exuber- 
ance of her gratitude and generosity, wished to 
keep the woman with her and give her a chance 
to lead an honest life. Mr. Brenton, however, 

366 


ALICE BRENTON 


advocated that they should send her to some 
distant Colony, where she could begin over again 
with new surroundings. He well knew the up- 
hill work it would be for her in a town where she 
had made her offensive reputation and where 
she would repeatedly meet nothing but slurs 
and jeers. The matter was settled by Moll 
herself on the day when Block Island was sighted. 

She approached Alice and said, “We are ap- 
proaching the old town. It will be a happier 
day for you, my dainty cousin, than for me.” 

“We are going to make it happy for you as 
well as for ourselves,” answered Alice. “I have 
been talking to my father and you shall be provided 
for in any way you choose, either in Newport 
or in some other place, but you must promise 
to try and lead a good, respectable life.” 

Moll laughed a low, derisive laugh. Some of 
her old defiance was returning as she neared 
the shores of her old home. 

“A good, respectable life!” she exclaimed. “It 
is easy to see that you know nothing of the ways 
of the world. Don’t you know that as soon as 
I touch the wharf in Newport I shall be entangled 

367 


ALICE BRENTON 


instantly in the old web that was spun for me 
and into which I fell when I was left to fight my 
own battles in my defenseless youth 

"‘Why, Moll dear, nothing can hurt you; you 
will go with us. Mr. Brenton can protect you; 
besides, no one need know you have landed. 
You can disguise yourself.’’ 

“You are a simple, innocent child. Does not 
every sailor on this ship know me Do they not 
all leer at me for all I am with you and under 
the protection of Mr. Brenton and, what is more, 
that of Captain Dennis ? I won’t be long in New- 
port before I shall find myself led into the old 
life.” 

“You need not if you don’t want to,” persisted 
Alice. 

“Yes, I do need to, I shall have to. There 
is some one on this ship who will make things hot 
for me if I do not do as he says.” 

“Who asked Alice. 

Moll lowered her voice as she said. “You 
may not be aware that Dolby is on board the 
Gadfly. He was under arrest the day we were 
rescued and only liberated a few days ago.” 

368 


ALICE BRENTON 


“Dolby, that horrible man! But you need not 
have anything to do with him. He is a murderer 
and ought to be hung.’’ 

“Yes, he is a murderer, but no one can prove 
it but me; besides he can prove as much against 
me and produce others who know as much as 
he does. So you see we are both in the same boat. 
If I go olF with you and your folks he will go back 
on me and it won’t make things any better for 
me to tell on him.” 

“Oh, Moll, my poor cousin, this is terrible!” 
exclaimed Alice as the tears rolled down her 
cheeks. 

“It does me good to hear you call me cousin, 
but it must be for the last time. After this we 
must be Miss Brenton or Miss Stanley, and Moll 
Bowman. You must promise never to divulge 
to any one our relationship It would do me no 
good and it might do you harm.” 

“ I have told my brother and my adopted 
father,” said Alice. 

“And they consider it a pretty mess, don’t 
they ?” said Moll bitterly. 

“They were surprised — ” hesitated Alice. 


ALICE BRENTON 


“And horrified and disgusted/’ added Moll. 
“Well, perhaps so, but they need not worry, I 
will not bother them.” 

“They will never turn their backs on you,” 
said Alice. 

“Not if I was condemned to be hung .^” 

“Moll, you frighten me, please do not talk 
so. Come with me to Mr. Brenton and the captain, 
they will know what to do with regard to Dolby.” 

“No, it is useless, leave me to myself. I can 
manage Dolby, never fear; I have done so before 
and can do so again. Now promise to keep our 
relationship a secret from every one but Mr. 
Brenton and your brother, and they won’t be in 
a hurry to publish it. I’ll wager.” 

“I will tell no one until you give me leave,” 
answered Alice, “but this is dreadful, leaving you 
at the mercy of that bad man.” 

“I tell you I can manage him better if I keep 
away from you folks. Perhaps I may be able 
to cut loose from him in time. When one gets 
too much mixed up with such devils as Dolby 
it’s no use turning good and trying to shake him 
off. I once heard Styles, the minister, say, ‘The 

370 


ALICE BRENTON 


way of the transgressor is hard,’ and I have found 
it so all my life. Now, we are nearing Newport 
and I wish you would tell Mr. Brenton I thank 
him for his kind intentions, but I can never accept 
his aid. When we reach the town take no more 
notice of me. Pll go my way, you’ll go yours; 
and if we ever meet again it will be as strangers. 
I have buried my revenge and with it all connection 
with the Edgemoor family.” 

Alice pressed Moll’s hand as the latter hurried 
away. What if it was, as the owner had acknowl- 
edged, red with crime ? It was the hand of a fellow 
creature, a woman of her own blood, one brought 
low by the sins of environment, and although 
Alice had never philosophized on the. subjects 
of heredity and environment and the like, she 
intuitively felt that Moll might have grown into 
a good woman had her path been less encompassed 
with thorns and snares. 

It was true that Dolby was on the ship. He 
was there with one more crime added to the many 
he had committed. In a scuffle with Ben, while 
drifting out to sea, after the murder of Andrew, 
he had succeeded in stabbing his colleague and 


371 


ALICE BRENTON 


so secured all the money they had taken from 
the poor wretch who had betrayed them. On 
meeting Moll and learning how she had come 
to be upon the Gadfly he asked her what she was 
going to do with herself when she landed in New- 
port. Her answer was short and non-communica- 
tive, but for reasons of his own, Dolby was not 
to be repulsed, and he insisted that she should 
consent to accompany him to New York or Provi- 
dence and once more engage in their former 
nefarious business. Moll consented with reserva- 
tions in her own mind. 

Alice informed Mr. Brenton of Moll’s refusal 
to take help, and the old gentleman was not at 
all surprised. It was no more than he expected. 
He reasoned that Moll, out of gratitude to Alice 
for saving her and hiding her from the enraged 
Hessians, had “got even,” as she expressed it 
and now only wished to be let alone to go her 
own way. The ship was fast making its way 
towards the home harbor. Alice went below 
and dressed herself in the simplest gown she could 
find in the chest, and threw a light scarf across 
her shoulders. 


372 


ALICE BRENTON 


‘‘Put this beautiful comb in your hair,’^ said 
Moll, as she produced one of tortoise shell tipped 
with gold, “there are lots of them in the chest.” 

“I do not care for the dead woman^s things, 
but I will take this as a souvenir,” Alice answered 
as she slipped the comb into her dark hair. The 
scarf was long and she turned one end over her 
head, making of herself a sweet picture as she 
mounted to the deck. 

It was a perfect day and Mr. Brenton felt the 
inspiration of it as, flushed with excitement, he 
scrutinized the shores of his old home. Captain 
Dennis, still more excited, rejoiced that not a 
British vessel lay at anchor, and far in the distance, 
he sighted, floating from the County House, the 
new flag, the stars and stripes. 

Cheer after cheer went up from the sailors 
as their own ensign ran up the mast, and then 
boom went the salutes from the batteries on the 
land, answered by the guns of the privateer. 

Such was the home-coming of the old Tory 
after his years of banishment, all for a cause he 
now repudiated with all his heart. 


373 


CHAPTER XXVI 


Mr. Brenton met with a cordial reception 
from his old friends as soon as he managed to 
convince them that he was one with them in the 
cause of liberty. The people of Newport were 
then, as now, always willing to meet a recreant 
half way, and the old gentleman had been too 
good a friend in the past to warrant their holding 
any permanent grudge against him. His property, 
which had been confiscated on the departure 
of the British, was restored to him; and, one by 
one, his old slaves found their way back to their 
master who had always ruled them with a fatherly 
hand. The Brenton House was again opened 
and Cuffy installed as major domo, while Aunt 
Cassie presided over the duties of the kitchen 
as of old. Alice flitted about, glad to be once 
more at home, but sad that the gentle face of 
Mrs. Brenton was gone forever, and that the 
strong arm and sage counsels of Mrs. Almy were 
missing. 


374 


ALICE BRENTON 


Under a flag of truce letters were sent to New 
York and Mr. Brenton took advantage of the 
occasion to send word to his sister-in-law that he 
had arrived in Newport and would be pleased 
to have her join him at her earliest convenience. 
Alice also wrote a letter to her brother, telling 
of the shipwreck and all her subsequent adventures. 
It pained her greatly to tell of the death of Lady 
Mary Erskine and Charley Welland, and the paper 
was sadly blotted with her tears. She added that 
she was safe and well under the care of her adopted 
father, Jahleel Brenton. 

The town had by no means recovered from the 
depredations of the British and the hardships 
of the past winter. The people were very poor 
and missed even the money spent by the soldiers 
of the occupation, but warm weather made life 
easier and crops were growing and ripening, 
so that things looked a little brighter. A few of 
the wealthy people, who had fled at the beginning 
of the war, were returning. They were, for the 
most part, like Mr. Brenton, much reduced in 
pocket, but they still had some resources, and 
a little money began to circulate. 

375 


ALICE BRENTON 


Mr. Champlin was the first to pay his respects 
to his old neighbor. Peggy accompanied him, 
and after the stately formalities of greeting were 
over the two girls withdrew to have a good talk. 
Much had to be told on either side. Alice had 
to recount all that had befallen her, and her 
friend listened with breathless interest. To Peggy 
with her vivid imagination and ardent temperament 
the description of the sinking of the ship and the 
picture of the two girls, drifting in a boat on the 
bosom of the turbulent ocean, was terribly excit- 
ing. Alice kept her word to Moll and did not tell 
of their relationship, nor did she speak of Dolby. 
We often leave things unsaid, even to our dearest 
friends. 

Then came Peggy^s turn to tell of all that had 
transpired in the town. It was, at most, a tale 
of privation and anxiety, but fraught with the 
deepest interest to the girl who loved the old 
seaport with all her heart. 

And Peggy had a secret to confide. A certain 
young surgeon. Dr. Robert Mason, was with 
General Heath and he had become a welcome 
guest at the Champlin House. 

376 


ALICE BRENTON 


‘*He is so nice,’’ said Peggy, and Alice agreed 
that he must be if her friend admired him, but she 
heaved a gentle sigh for her brother whom she 
knew held Peggy in more than high esteem. 

It did not take long to again go back to the 
state of the times. 

‘‘The British are liable to capture Newport 
at any time,” said Peggy. “All our hope for defense 
lies in the arrival of the French army under 
Rochambeau. We are on the lookout for the 
French ships every day. Is it not strange that 
we should again find ourselves together when our 
allies are expected ^ This time, however, we need 
not fear a bombardment. How dreadful it was 
when the shots, that were intended for the British 
batteries, came whizzing over our heads. I hope 
we shall never again have such an experience.” 

“It has been a terrible war and I do not know 
just how it is progressing,” said Alice. “When 
I left New York, the British were fast gaining 
at the South and they had high hopes of soon 
conquering the Colonists, but since landing in 
Newport I notice that the patriotism of the 
Americans waxes as strong as ever.” 


377 


ALICE BRENTON 


Peggy’s eyes flashed as she said, ‘‘And it always 
will wax strong as long as life remains. What 
if the British hav^ gained a little at the South ? 
They have not killed Marion, the Swamp Fox, 
and our brave Rhode Islander, General Greene, 
still lives to harass them; besides there is Sumter, 
the Carolina Gamecock, and Pickens, and a 
score of brave officers who will never lay down 
their arms. I tell you we shall win in the end. 
This begins the sixth year of the war and we are 
not conquered yet and never will be.” 

“It seems as if a hundred years must have passed 
since I was a happy child,” said Alice. “I wish 
it was all a dream and I was still romping round 
the old farm on the Neck, or galloping along the 
country roads upon dear old Nellie’s back, and 
that reminds me to thank you for your care of 
my dear little mare. How did you secure her ?” 

“Well, you see,” answered Peggy, “when the 
British had gone there was a grand hustle going 
on. All the Tories had to walk Spanish and the 
property of all the absent ones was confiscated. 
As Mr. Brenton was considered one of the worst, 
everything belonging to him was seized and sold 

378 


ALICE BRENTON 


whenever purchasers could be found. I begged 
father to buy Nellie and so he did. I meant to 
keep her as long as she lived, but now that you 
have returned I shall be glad to accept Mr. Bren- 
ton’s offer to buy her back, and sometime see you 
riding her as you used to do.’’ 

‘^You dear, kind, thoughtful Peggy,” exclaimed 
Alice as she wound her arms around her friend. 
^‘Now tell me,” she added, ‘‘have you any news 
of Harry Cranston ?” 

“I do not know where he is at present, but 
I know he is not with either Greene or Sullivan. 
He may be with Washington. He came here 
once after the British left. I think it was to 
inquire about you. He never knew until I told 
him that Alfred Stanley was your brother. I 
could have felled him with a feather when I 
told it to him, he was so overcome, but after the 
surprise was over he looked relieved. I really 
think he was once jealous of the lieutenant. 
He knows now all that you dared to save him, 
for I told him, and Cuffy added his story too, so 
there is no misunderstanding on his part.” 

“I am so glad,” said Alice softly. 


379 


ALICE BRENTON 


And so the two girls talked on, happy in each 
other’s company, one gratified that she had been 
the means of bringing joy to her friend, the other 
thankful beyond expression, for the generous 
friendliness so lavishly extended. 

Not many days after, a glorious excitement 
broke over Newport. Watchers on the lookout 
at Brenton’s Point signalled the news that a 
fleet bearing the French flag was in sight. The 
people were wild with joy, for now a means of 
defense was at hand, and the whole town put 
on a holiday attire. Several gentlemen, among 
them Mr. Champlin, sailed out to meet the fleet 
and extended to the officers the welcome of the 
inhabitants. The ships entered the harbor amid 
the booming of guns and the ringing of bells. 
First came seven line-of-battle ships and five 
frigates under command of one of the bravest 
officers of France, Chevalier de Tournay, then 
followed a long train of transports containing 
an army of six thousand men under the Count 
de Rochambeau. 

The American soldiers under General Heath 
were drawn up in line to receive the distinguished 

380 


ALICE BRENTON 


Frenchmen as they landed at the head of their 
men, and from the populace rose cheer after 
cheer for the king and queen whose sympathies 
had prompted this substantial aid, and most of 
all for Lafayette, whose love of liberty and 
fiery eloquence had stimulated the ardor of the 
royalties of F ranee. 

This great army had to be housed and fed, 
but how different was the mode of procedure from 
that of the British when they invaded the town. 
The strictest discipline was enforced so that no 
French soldier took the slightest liberty with the 
property of the townspeople. Most of the well-to- 
do residents threw open their doors of hospitality to 
the officers, who in turn insisted upon paying to 
the last groat for everything furnished. 

The soldiery went into camp immediately, the 
supplies were landed, and in two or three days 
the French army was duly installed in Rhode 
Island. Money became plentiful for by Rocham- 
beau’s orders everything provided for the soldiers 
was paid for. So with ripening crops, money 
and pleasant company, bright days dawned for 
the once unhappy town. 


ALICE BRENTON 


Mr. Champlin unearthed his family plate from 
the cellar and Sam worked his arms until they 
ached polishing the several pieces, making them 
shine with their pristine beauty. Then he sent 
across the way to Rochambeau’s headquarters 
and presented his compliments to the general 
and his officers with an invitation to dinner, and 
another invitation was sent to the Point where 
Admiral de Tournay had taken up his abode. 

Miss Peggy presided at the table and had for 
her guests many of the younger portion of the 
ladies of Newport. Many were the flutterings 
among the fair ones when the invitations of the 
Champlins came to hand. Old chests were 
rummaged for stiff brocades and rare laces, 
long since stored away by ancestresses now dead 
and gone. In those days fashions in material 
changed but little, and the pretty girls being unable 
to buy articles of finery, owing to the state of the 
times, found it a great convenience to profit 
by these ancient stores. Seamstresses found their 
hands full and reaped an unusual harvest. Fash- 
ions had remained very much the same during 
the past five years. Poverty and trouble had 

382 


ALICE BRENTON 


laid heavy hands on the people and it was a mere 
living from hand to mouth. 

Alice had learned something of London fashions 
during her stay in New York and her gowns, 
procured in that city, were cut after the latest 
style; but, alas, they were now lying at the bottom 
of the sea in the hold of the ill-fated Osprey, and 
she was forced to delve down into the depths of 
Mrs. Brenton’s stores. 

Question after question was heaped upon her 
as to the cut of this bodice, the hang of that skirt, 
and the shape of the latest sleeve, until she was 
so pestered that she at last, more in fun than in 
earnest, told Peggy she ought to consult the 
French officers as to the styles in vogue in Paris, 
as it was the French capital they should imitate 
and not the English. 

“ ril do it,’’ said Miss Peggy, and she forthwith, 
in her sweetest and prettiest manner, broached 
the subject to Count de Longueville, the gallant 
young aide to Rochambeau, who had accepted 
Mr. Champlin’s hospitality and was located in 
one of the best rooms of the mansion. Surprise 
and amusement were depicted on the countenance 

383 


ALICE BRENTON 


of the handsome Frenchman, but Miss Peggy 
was so bewitching and her French phrases so 
demure and modest, he set himself to work trying 
to recollect how the ladies were dressed at the 
last ball he attended at Versailles. How much 
Peggy gained from his description is not known, 
but she herself certainly appeared to the greatest 
advantage on the day of the great dinner, with 
her hair combed back and piled high upon the top 
of her stately head, her sweet oval face looking 
fresh and young under the powder so profusely 
sprinkled on her hair. Her rich brocade of a 
delicate old shade, once called puce color, added 
dignity to her appearance as she received her 
guests, perhaps conveying in its folds some of the 
grace of the beautiful mother long since gone to 
rest. 

Much is told in the history of the town of the 
charm of Newport’s fair daughters during the 
sojourn of the French officers. Miss Champlin 
and the Misses Hunter are often mentioned, but 
none on the day of Mr. Champlin’s dinner ap- 
peared to better advantage than did Alice Brenton 
as she entered on the arm of her father. The 

3^4 


ALICE BRENTON 


dress she wore was a soft primrose-colored silk 
which hung in graceful folds around her slender 
form. Mr. Brenton had chosen the dress from 
out his wife’s stores because it reminded him of 
the happy days when she wore it as a young bride. 

Alice never liked to fill her hair with powder 
so she wore it in a simple knot in which she placed 
the beautiful comb she had accepted from the 
chest of the Gadfly. No fairer picture could 
appear to the delighted eyes of the French officers. 

This dinner was only the beginning of a round 
of festivities given by the higher class of the towns- 
people to their defenders and the latter in return 
vied with each other in entertaining their new 
friends. 

Alice found herself in a whirl of excitement, 
owing more to Peggy’s enthusiasm than to her 
own. Had she been left to herself she would 
have much preferred a quieter life. Mr. Brenton 
encouraged her to go out in company and 
often accompanied her himself. He was fast 
gaining in favor both among Americans and 
French, indeed his own children would scarcely 
know him so greatly were his sentiments changed. 

385 


25 


ALICE BRENTON 


For a little while a damper was thrown over 
the jollities owing to the death of Admiral de 
Tournay. He was greatly mourned by all classes 
and he was laid at rest in Trinity churchyard, 
with all the military honors, where his grave is 
to be seen at the present time. Although this sad 
event ended for a time all gay assemblages it did 
not prevent a happy social intercourse between 
the Newport people and the Frenchmen. Mr. 
Brenton entertained royally and it fell to the lot 
of his adopted daughter to preside at all his social 
functions. Little by little the story leaked out 
as to Alice’s antecedents and her attachment 
to Harry Cranston. Then some one told of her 
adventure at Miantonomi Hill and her daring 
rescue of her lover under the noses of the whole 
British camp. It did not take long for the gentle, 
demure girl to become the heroine of the hour 
and every Frenchman toasted her with delight. 
Some even went so far and forgot themselves 
so much as to lose their hearts, never thinking that 
the girl must needs remain true to the lover for 
whom she risked her life. 

News came often of events transpiring in the 

386 


ALICE BRENTON 


Jerseys and around New York. Arnold’s treason 
sent a thrill of horror through every patriot. Alice 
had met the unfortunate Major Andre in New 
York and deeply mourned the sad ending of his 
young and promising life. 

With the news of Arnold’s perfidy came a 
list of the officers killed during Washington’s 
campaign in New Jersey. The name of Colonel 
Harry Cranston was among them. The days 
which followed the advent of this news were sad 
ones for Alice Brenton. She had sympathetic 
comforters in her old father and in Peggy Cham- 
plin. In fact the whole town mourned with her 
for one of their own brave young men and showed 
her every kindness. The Frenchmen, with their 
native tact, sent many messages of condolence, 
but nothing could alter the fact that she was robbed 
of her greatest happiness. 

In the midst of her trouble, letters came from 
New York. There was one from her brother 
filled with unreasonable reproaches for her having 
again identified herself with the Americans, and 
ordering her to join him in New York at her earliest 
opportunity. To this order she gave but little 

387 


ALICE BRENTON 


heed. In a talk with Mr. Brenton she was made 
to see that as she was now of age, and over, her 
brother had no legal control over her. Besides 
she had been adopted into the Brenton family 
and he was not sure but what she was a Brenton 
after all and owed no allegiance to the Stanleys. 
So she did not attempt to answer her brother’s 
letter, saying in apology to herself, 

“After the war is over I shall see him and then 
he will see things differently.” 

So the autumn and winter passed by and al- 
though commerce had been destroyed and not 
much trade was carried on with neighboring towns 
the people of Newport found themselves in better 
circumstances than they had been for years. 
The farmers had succeeded in raising large crops 
which found a ready market with the French 
soldiers who paid for everything received. The 
ruined houses were repaired and things began to 
look prosperous and secure. So confident were 
the people in the protection of the allies that many 
a one began to wish the enemy would make one 
more attempt on the town just to prove how easily 
they might be driven off. 

388 


ALICE BRENTON 


In March, 1781, news came that General 
Washington was on his way to Newport to confer 
with Rochambeau and review the French forces 
on the island. The people were wild with ex- 
citement. A visit from the honored commander- 
in-chief exceeded their highest expectancy. As 
he was expected to travel by land, relays of watchers 
were on the alert all the way from the Connecticut 
boundary to the Conanicut Ferry, and thence 
across the water to Newport. Great preparations 
were made. Count de Rochambeau decided to 
give a grand ball on the night of the chief s arrival, 
a ball that would exceed anything heretofore 
given in America. The largest public hall in the 
town was secured and profusely decorated. Tradi- 
tion tells us that the most beautiful mirrors with 
their branching candelabras were loaned by the 
wealthy residents, and so many were there that 
the walls were lined on either side with them. 
All the chief residents of the town were invited 
and great was the flutter among the fair ones, 
both dames and maidens. It far exceeded that 
which occurred before the Champlin dinner. 
Peggy brought out her white brocade, profusely 

389 


ALICE BRENTON 


flowered, and able to stand alone; but Alice 
softly sighed and signified that she would not 
attend the ball. Persuasions were useless. She 
could not dance while her heart was lying in an 
unmarked grave in New Jersey and her friends 
soon ceased to importune her. 

^‘You will at least look at the grand procession 
and see the face of the noble Washington,” said 
Peggy. 

“Yes, I will try to get a glimpse of him, for 
Harry fought with him,” answered Alice. Then 
she added, “I w'onder if it would be too bold for 
my father to ask him about Harry ? Surely he 
would remember him for I understand that he was 
one of his officers.” 

“Too bold, no, indeed! Why, I would ask 
him myself if I were you,” said Peggy. 

“Oh, no, Peggy, I could not do that, but my 
father may get the opportunity. I never could 
face the glorious Washington.” 

“I could,” answered Peggy, “and I mean to 
dance with him at the ball.” 

“Oh, Peggy, I wish that it might be so! How 
grand that would be!” 


390 


CHAPTER XXVII 


At last the news came that Washington was 
crossing the ferry — ^Washington, the great com- 
mander of the French and American forces. 
The French fleet, lying at anchor, gave the first 
salute as his barge appeared in sight. The firing 
was tremendous, one continued roar, so that the 
houses of the town trembled on their foundations. 
The French army marched out to receive him, 
headed by the noble Rochambeau. All the officers 
and men were in their full military dress and never 
had the people seen such an array of splendor 
as appeared on the old Parade and down Long 
Wharf where the chief landed. As he stepped 
on shore he was received by Rochambeau, 
Count Noailles, General Viosmienel, and their 
under officers, all standing with uncovered heads, 
while the army of seven thousand men separated 
into two parts to the right and the left, to allow 
Washington and the noble Frenchmen to pass 
through. 


391 


ALICE BRENTON 


On they walked, the flower of the French 
nobility and the immortal commander-in-chief. 
Washington wore that day the imposing uniform 
of a marshal of France, a title without which he 
could not command a French army. It was a 
wise forethought on the part of the French King 
to send this honor, with its insignia, by the hand 
of Lafayette on his return to America; for by its 
provision all the officers of the allied forces were 
made to act under the orders of Washington 
all through the remainder of the war. 

The French oflicers walked with uncovered 
heads from the landing to the State House, 
notwithstanding the keen March winds were 
blowing, while cheer after cheer went from the 
long line of soldiers. 

“Vive TAmerique, vive la France,’’ was heard 
on all sides mingled with expressions of admira- 
tion and enthusiasm for the chief who never in 
the course of his illustrious life had looked as 
grand as he did on that day. 

At the State House a committee of citizens 
were in waiting and presented Washington with 
an address to which he politely replied, then the 


ALICE BRENTON 


line formed again and they proceeded to the 
headquarters of Count Rochambeau. 

Miss Peggy Champlin had invited a number 
of her young lady friends to her home that they 
might witness the arrival of the honored com- 
mander from a good vantage ground. The 
Champlin House stood facing Clarke Street, 
through which the procession passed, and directly 
opposite stood the count’s headquarters. Over 
Mr. Champlin’s door hung the stars and stripes 
and at the windows of the second story bright young 
faces were to be seen, all eager for a sight of the 
saviour of his country. 

As the imposing procession came forvv^ard 
every eye was dazzled by the brilliant array of 
uniforms and waving plumes, while the strains 
of martial music from the military and naval 
bands added to the inspiration of the moment. 
As the head of the procession reached Mary 
Street, directly opposite the headquarters, they 
stopped and again, as on the wharf, they parted 
to the right and to the left. Then came the group 
of illustrious personages, Washington and Rocham- 
beau at their head. From the windows fluttered 


393 


ALICE BRENTON 


white handkerchiefs waved by fair hands, and 
again from the throats of the brave soldiers of 
France came the cry of ‘‘Vive FAmerique, vive 
la France,” 

“Washington, the great, the noble Washington!” 
exclaimed Alice Brenton. “How glad I am that 
I have espoused his cause,” and as he drew nearer 
and she saw the grave sublimity of his face she 
felt that no sacrifice would be too great to further 
the hopes of such a man. Behind these two 
figures came the French officers and Washing- 
ton’s staff. As they came into view Alice saw one 
face which struck her first with amazement and 
then as she looked closer a thrill, wholly indescrib- 
able, passed through her frame. 

She clasped Peggy’s hand, who in turn, on seeing 
the direction in which Alice gazed, answered 
clasp for clasp. 

“Peggy, it is he, it is Harry himself, returned 
from the dead — or am I dreaming ?” 

“Dear Alice, you are not dreaming. It is Harry 
Cranston, alive and well. It must have been 
all a mistake about his being dead. How happy 
we all should be!” 


394 


ALICE BRENTON 


Alice sank down in a chair, but Peggy stood 
by the window vigorously waving her ’kerchief. 
As each line of officers filed into the headquarters 
they cast a look over at the Champlin House and 
answered by a salute the demonstrations of the 
young ladies at the windows. As Harry’s line 
was about the last to mount the steps he caught 
sight of Peggy and waved his cocked hat high 
in the air. 

‘‘Look, Alice, look! he sees us, wave your 
’kerchief quick!” 

Alice, by a superhuman effort, managed to show 
herself, handkerchief in hand, at the window 
and caught an answering smile on Harry’s face 
as he entered the house. 

All the other young ladies saw him and now 
crowded around Alice with voluble congratula- 
tions, but Peggy seeing how much the girl was 
suffering from pent-up feeling, gently waved 
them back and taking Alice by the hand led her 
from the room to a back chamber where she could 
rest from prying eyes. 

“All will be well, my dear,” she said. “Rest 
quietly and compose yourself for you may be sure 

395 


ALICE BRENTON 


Colonel Harry will not let much time pass before 
he pays his respects. Those chattering magpies 
of girls have no consideration so I thought you 
would like a few minutes to think of the wonderful 
good fortune in store for you,’’ and with these 
words Peggy hurried out to join her friends. 

Alice was pleased to be alone, and to think. 
Harry alive and well! It was too much like a 
dream to be true. She walked the room and 
threw open the window and let in the sharp, cold 
air to make herself realize that she was awake 
and in her senses. 

She heard the inspiring strains of the French 
band and shouts of the populace and knew that 
everything was real, but that he whom she thought 
dead was alive and well in the house across 
the way was too good to believe. Then came 
the sound of marching. She knew the troops 
were being dismissed and pretty soon the officers 
would be at leisure. Gladly would she hurry 
down stairs to be the first to meet him were it 
not for the dread of those prying girls who saw 
everything and simpered and giggled as if Harry’s 
return was a huge joke. While she was thus 

396 


ALICE BRENTON 


thinking, Peggy opened the door with a happy 
look upon her face. 

‘‘Come, Alice, come to the private room that 
leads to the secret stairs. I will send Harry 
there as soon as my father and Mr. Brenton 
get through greeting him in the parlor. They 
are all down there now. The hall is crowded 
with gentlemen ready to devour him with welcomes 
as soon as Sam gets the word to announce them; 
but they won’t get the chance for I am going to 
spirit him away through the dining-room and out 
of the garden door to the grounds and send him 
up the secret stairs. Nobody is going to keep 
him from you any longer than I can help.” 

So Peggy was as good as her word and the 
lovers met once more in the room where they 
held a hasty meeting three years before. Much 
had to be explained. Harry, of course, was not 
killed as reported, but he had been grievously 
wounded and left for dead when his party retreated. 
Owing to some good fortune he was not discovered 
by the British and so made prisoner, but instead, 
was found by a New Jersey farmer, a staunch 
patriot, and taken to his home. Here he was 

397 


ALICE BRENTON 


nursed back to life and health and when opportun- 
ity offered, made his way to General Washington 
who gave him an appointment on his staff just 
before the setting out for Rhode Island. 

That night the great ball took place, the 
memory of which has been handed down through 
successive generations. 

Happy is the maid or matron of to-day who 
can proudly show the silken gown, worn by an 
ancestress when she danced that night with Wash- 
ington, but of all the dancers in that fair throng 
none were fairer than Miss Peggy. Clad in white 
brocade, fit for a queen to wear, she won all 
hearts; and when the great commander singled 
her out as his partner for the opening dance, the 
admiration of the throng knew no bounds. It 
has even been said that the gallant French officers 
seized the instruments from the orchestra, and 
themselves furnished the music for the dance. 

Peggy’s heart swelled with pride. It was worth 
years of privation to find herself at last so signally 
honored, particularly as a pair of earnest dark 
eyes followed her every movement as she glided 
through the stately minuet with Washington. 

398 


ALICE BRENTON 


Doctor Mason stood at the side of the room, a 
fine, manly figure in the uniform of a surgeon 
of the army, with a longing desire in his heart 
for the beautiful girl, little dreaming that she 
would have felt amply compensated had he claimed 
the first dance before Washington had had a 
chance to approach her. 

In spite of the protestations Alice had made 
against going to the ball she went after all. Al- 
though she did not get one dance with Washington 
hers was the happiest heart in the ballroom, for 
Harry Cranston was there, brave and soldierly, 
the honored confidant of his chief and her own 
true-hearted lover. 

Next to Alice herself no one was more pleased 
to see Harry back again than was Mr. Brenton. 
The old gentleman took a childlike delight in 
selecting a gown for Alice to wear to the ball. 
Again the chest containing Mrs. Brenton^s carefully 
preserved treasures was overhauled and hastily 
examined and from its depths was drawn forth 
a figured blue satin, the most beautiful of its 
kind. It fitted to perfection, as did all Mrs. 
Brenton's early gowns, and with her dark hair 


399 


ALICE BRENTON 


combed high and a few pearl ornaments she looked 
lovely enough to please more than the doting heart 
of the old man. 

For the first time in many years she danced 
with Harry. That was better to her than the 
distinction her friend enjoyed, but she did not 
miss being introduced to Washington and he 
bent his kindly eyes upon her as he said, 

‘‘The patriotic cause owes much to you. Miss 
Brenton, for the service you rendered it in saving 
the life of one of its best officers.” 

So Washington knew what she had done. 
Some one must have told him. It was a proud 
moment for her when she was thus warmly 
commended by the greatest man in America, 
and never again did she harbor any misgivings 
as to the course she had taken in going counter 
to her English relatives. 

The congratulations of the French officers 
on the reunion of the lovers were effusive. To 
them it seemed like a romance and, as from 
one and another of their fair partners they gathered 
the story of Alice’s ride to Miantonomi Hill, 
they became almost too enthusiastic for her 


400 


ALICE BRENTON 


retiring nature. Had Peggy been beside her 
she could have depended on her ready wit and 
tact to relieve the embarrassment, but Peggy 
was oflP in a corner bantering and coquetting with 
Doctor Mason, and she was forced to endure 
their well-meaning effusions. 

The main object of Washington’s visit to New- 
port was to lay plans with Rochambeau as to the 
best method of co-operation against the British. 
It has even been stated that they laid plans to 
attack New York, but the arrival there of a large 
force under Sir Henry Clinton turned their attention 
in another direction. 

During the stay of the commander-in-chief 
Newport was the scene of much gaiety. One 
would never think to look at her festive, crowded 
streets that less than two years had elapsed since 
they had echoed to the tread of hostile feet. 


2 « 


4.01 


CHAPTER XXVIII 


These were happy days for Alice and Harryo 
Nellie was saddled and Alice once more donned 
the riding-habit she had stored away before going 
to New York. The little mare was six years older 
than she was on the day she carried her mistress 
from Brenton’s Neck with the British officer’s 
letter in her bosom, but she was mettlesome and 
fleet as ever and proved more than a match for the 
handsome charger loaned by one of the French- 
men to Harry for an afternoon’s ride. 

“I used to think I had taken my last ride on 
Nellie,” said Alice, as they walked their horses 
down the driveway from the Brenton House, 
^‘and here I am as if there had been no war, and 
I had never been kidnapped and shipwrecked.” 

^‘You have had an eventful life, sweetheart, 
and you have been brave and true. What say 
you to going over the road you took on that never- 
to-be-forgotten night when you snatched me out 
of the British lion’s paws ?” 


402 


ALICE BRENTON 


“ I should enjoy it in your company, Harry, but 
had you died, nothing could ever have induced me 
to go that way again. I was dreadfully frightened 
that night. People tell how brave I was, but 
that is all nonsense, for I was terribly afraid. 
I wonder my hair did not turn gray.’* 

“That is what constituted your bravery, Alice. 
Had you not been afraid and not realized your 
danger, there would have been nothing re- 
markable in your deed; but knowing what peril 
you were in, it was truly heroic for you to go on. 
My life must be one long devotion to such un- 
paralleled heroism.” 

They passed up the Parade and turned into 
Broad Street and thence “out of town,” as it 
was then called. As Alice had never gone over 
the ground since that memorable night she tried 
to imagine herself following Nellie’s old footprints. 

“At this place I took to the greensward to deaden 
the sound of Nellie’s hoofs because I heard rioting 
soldiers on the other side of the way,” she said 
once; then when they turned into the Malbone 
Road she went over the various sensations she 
experienced when she stole along on her plucky 

403 


ALICE BRENTON 


little steed, under cover of the intense darkness. 
How different were her sensations crossing the 
little bridge and mounting the steep hill to the 
site of the British Camp, to what it was when she 
almost crept along with fear in her heart. Now 
she rode by the side of the lover she had saved, 
with the free sun shining down upon her and the 
free winds of Heaven fanning her cheeks. 

The site of the camp was interesting to Harry 
from a soldier’s point of view, and on reaching 
the top of the hill they drew rein that he might 
survey the surrounding land and sea. 

Alice pointed, not without a shudder, towards 
the west shore, where once stood the cabin of 
Moll Bowman. Harry, in turn, shuddered as 
she told of her capture by the miserable villains 
and how she was dragged across the swamp to 
be sacrificed to Moll’s greed and vengeance. 
She spoke of her brother and then Harry told 
how jealous he once had been of Alfred Stanley 
and how happy Peggy had made him when she 
explained that in the young English officer Alice 
had found a brother and protector. 

The afternoon was delightful. It was one of 


404 


ALICE BRENTON 


those warm spring days which occasionally come 
in March, when the robins are tempted to come 
from their winter retreats, and the buds begin 
to swell only to suffer from a cold blast, blown by 
the north wind, before his final subjugation by 
the returning sun. 

“I would like to dismount and sit down on 
the deserted breastworks of our common enemy, 
just to feel a keener satisfaction in the retreat 
of those who thought they had you securely in 
their power,” said Alice. 

“That is easily done,” answered Harry as he 
flung himself from his horse and beckoned to 
Jim, their attendant, to hold the bridle rein. 
It was but the work of a moment for Alice to 
dismount, and leaving the horses in Jim’s care, 
they climbed upon the earthworks and seated 
themselves where they could overlook the town 
and the harbor. The French ships lay at anchor 
below them in the harbor, each one decked out 
in flags in honor of Washington’s visit, and the 
hum of the camp reached them in their elevated 
position, now and then augmented by bugle calls 
and the roll of the drum. 


405 


ALICE BRENTON 


It was a source of satisfaction for the lovers 
to sit thus securely where one of them had once 
been held a prisoner with the doom of death 
hanging over him. They sat for some time in 
silence. At last Harry said, 

“Perhaps you are not aware that for several 
weeks last winter your brother was our prisoner 
on the Hudson.” 

“I am surprised,” answered Alice. “He never 
mentioned it in his letters.” 

“It was so, nevertheless,” answered Harry. 
“He was on parole most of the time and was 
eventually exchanged for one of our officers. 
I had an excellent opportunity to talk with him 
and learn his views concerning our attachment.” 

“Tell me, Harry, did he speak favorably.?” 

‘‘ Hardly, he seemed very much opposed to it. 
I tried to make him see that I was as much of 
a gentleman as he was, and that you and I had 
known each other for many years, but to no avail. 
He persisted in treating me as a low-born rebel 
who strongly merited a good stout noose. He 
told me he had started you off for England, 
but by some misfortune the ship was lost and you 

406 


ALICE BRENTON 


were almost the only one saved. I think it went 
much against the grain for him to tell me that you 
were in Newport, brought here by a Yankee 
privateer. You see he had just received your 
letter before being captured by our scouts, while 
he was out with his men on a foraging expedition. 
Our soldiers have been on the alert ever since the 
capture of Andre and no party of Red-coats have 
much chance to escape them when once they pass 
the northern outposts of the British. 

‘^It was well for him that no criminating papers 
were found about him, or he would have found 
himself in much the same position as I was in 
when I was caught red-handed in Newport.’’ 

‘‘My brother is very much prejudiced, but for 
all that he is a very fine fellow. We must remem- 
ber that he is an Englishman by birth and educa- 
tion,” said Alice. 

“I make all allowances for that,” answered 
Harry, “ and I think he ought to do likewise; but 
he seems to think that I have no rights which he as 
an Englishman and your brother ought to respect.” 

“I hope he may see differently when the war 
is over,” said Alice. 


407 


ALICE BRENTON 


“ Perhaps he may, but I doubt it. At the present 
time he has not much love for me and plainly 
told me that neither he nor his brother in England 
would allow their sister to marry an American 
rebel.’’ 

‘‘How is he going to prevent it?” asked Alice 
archly. 

“Would you marry me without their consent?” 

“Why not? Much as I respect my brothers 
I do not feel beholden to them. In the first 
place I am of age. In the next place I am situated 
differently from most girls. I was picked up as 
a waif of the sea and adopted into the family of 
Brentons. I was nurtured and raised by them 
and I am not sure that I have any legal claim upon 
the Stanleys at all. When it was proved beyond 
a doubt that Alfred Stanley was my brother and 
circumstances left me without a protector he was 
very kind and I love him for it, but I do not feel 
that he has any right to control my future. My 
adopted father approves of you and that is suf- 
ficient.” 

“Well said, my own dear girl. A load has been 
lifted off my mind. How often have I thought 
408 


ALICE BRENTON 


and thought over the possibilities of your refusing 
to act against your brother’s wishes. I have 
often heartily wished that this English kinsman 
had never appeared and that my own sweet 
Alice Brenton of Brenton’s Point had not been 
transformed into Alice Stanley, an English girl 
of high lineage.” 

^^She has never been transformed into Alice 
Stanley. She is now, as she has heretofore been, 
Alice Brenton, daughter of Jahleel Brenton of 
Brenton’s Point, and will never change it until — 

‘‘Until when?” 

“Until the war is over.” 

“Why wait? Your father approves, Washing- 
ton approves, all Newport approves. The old 
town would like to see a wedding. What say you ?” 

The girl’s face was turned away from him, but 
a happy smile was playing around her mouth 
and the cheeks, that were fanned by the spring 
breeze, were glowing pink. Jim, as he stood 
holding the horses, surveyed the lovers from his 
position, and drew his own surmises as to the 
nature of their conference. 

“I’ll hab news to tell Cuffy. Shore as I’m 

409 


ALICE BRENTON 


a born nigger derail be a weddin’ in de Brenton 
House afore General Washington goes away 
from de town,” he said audibly, and as he patted 
Nellie’s side he added, ‘^Hey, ole gal, what do 
you think ob de young missis ? Ye ought to hab 
somefing to say, you’ve been round before when 
Miss Alice done her courtin’.” 

The sun was red in the west as Harry and Alice 
rode into the town. From the people they met 
they received nothing but pleasant smiles and 
greetings. Alice had won her way back into their 
hearts. Six years before she was a Tory’s daugh- 
ter and looked upon as an enemy to their rights, but 
by one brave deed she had proved herself one of 
themselves; and as she rode beside her patriot 
lover, all former animosity was forgotten, and even 
the old Tory had been forgiven and received back 
into their hearts. 

As they drew up before the portico of the Bren- 
ton House its master stood at the door, and with 
him stood another, the greatest and best man 
in America. 

Both gazed affectionately at the young pair 
and read a story in their glowing faces. Harry 


410 



The sun was red in the west’ as Harrv and Alice rode into town 




I 



' r. 

I 


I - 


« 


• I 


0 




I • 

V 

i 1 


I 






4 


« 


•I 


r 


» > ‘ 


». * 

k 


I ^ 

4 


« 


» 





* 

t 



I 


^ v-^ -* 

V V ' 


4 



« 


I 




f 


I 


s 


/ 

" i 


'T 


✓ 




« 





I 



t 


I 


} 



»• 

> 


t 


1 










t 







* 


1 


tfl 


« 













» 




• * 


• » * » 


4 * - 

• * 

<4 


/ 


-f • 

^r^^ 


.•VS'’; ^ 

• -irf** • *'• ‘A 


I I 







^ . > - -4 

■ 


«r-V -' ’,V 


i.j 


‘V V'.' ' 


. >A\ 

• 


i» I •' 


■*v 


rr 


< ^ 

« ' 

r f 

V.' ‘ 




/•A- 


« 


*? ' 
4 » 


» i 


^ . 

’ ' » « 

\ I • - 


4 * 


X U / 


•. % 






T«. 


; -4 . 

-.T^f >'* 

V I* -r, ‘ ' ' ‘ •* 

; V n’ ;; . 

. sttSaft 


« 


'f > 


^-v 





t 

# 




/ 




f « 




» 


« 

» 



f 


> t 


* 


' « 


»s* 

f 

4 ^ 






0 , 


> V 




A I 







> 



U 


r 


# 




ft 


« 




#. 


• ^ 




- < 


» 



« 



» 



1 


ALICE BRENTON 


dismounted and, lifting Alice from the saddle, 
led the way up the steps. 

“ It is all settled, my chief,’* he said simply. 

Washington took a hand of each and turned 
towards Mr. Brenton inquiringly. 

“My heart was in this union long ago,” said 
the old gentleman. “Nothing was wanting but 
her own consent.” 

The last rays of the setting sun sent a glorious 
golden streak across the harbor, reflecting like 
fire in the windows of the Brenton House and 
bathing in its rich warm glow the group of four 
upon its portico. Only for an instant, then the 
great commander, with his usual grace, gave 
his arm to the girl, and they entered the house 
and the door was closed. 


THE END 


411 


NOTES 


One. The Brenton House is still in existence. 
It has lost much of its distinguished appearance. 
The spacious grounds around it have been sold 
off in house lots and the old mansion has been 
surrounded on all sides by modern houses. It 
can only be approached by an alley leading from 
Mary Street and by another from Thames Street. 

The Champlin House stood on Mary Street, a 
little above the Brenton House, and was long 
occupied by the Young Men’s Christian Associa- 
tion. In the days of the Revolution the Brenton 
and Champlin estates were adjoining and it is 
easy to imagine Alice and Peggy running from one 
house to the other through the private grounds. 
Nearly opposite the Champlin House, on the 
corner of Mary Street, stands the old headquarters 
of Rochambeau. This house is in good repair. 

Tzuo. The Malbone House was rebuilt in 
1850, and renewed its pristine splendor under a 
new owner, Honorable Prescott Hall. It now 


412 


ALICE BRENTON 


stands ivy-covered, surrounded by spacious grounds 
and commanding much the same beautiful view 
which spread out before the gay party of 1775. 

Three. The old breastworks, on which Alice 
and Harry sat at Miantonomi Hill still remain, 
much reduced in height, but yet distinctly marked 
around the edge of the hill. 


/ 




XHE Gri^Avi->^x:ii^ 
SERIES 





By Carro Frances Warren 

W HEN completed will comprise SIX of the most 
fascinating, and at the same time uplifting and 
instructive stories for children ever written. 
The titles are : 

(1) Little Betty Marigold and Her Friends. 

(2) Little Polly Primrose and Her Friends. 

(3) Little Goldie Goldenrod and Her Friends. 

(4) Little Topsy Thistle and Her Friends. 

(5) Little Peter Pansy. 

(6), Little Danny Dandelion. ^ 

Of these the first two have already been issued, and 
numbers 3 and 4 will be published in 1909. 

Each volume will contain a page showing all the 
flowers mentioned in the story, in all the beauty of 
their natural colors. These Nature studies will be of 
great interest and value to every child reader. 

The many colored illustrations and handsome bind- 
ing will make any or all of these volumes most attrac- 
tive gift books for children. They will be sold at a 
uniform price of 75 cents each. 


At all Booksellers, or sent postpaid by 


THE C. M. CLARK PUBLISHING CO. 


21 1 Tremont Street, Boston, Massachusetts 

































;' y: • ■ 


' ■•:■•.■■•.■»?-.; Vl. ./,r , " 

1 _™ . : : ; ;•'. . ’& .- i ■ - j . ■ 



atii;'‘iV'fiiS-'A'. 


- 







<•*,*»« •>« 





